Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said he was prepared to hold negotiations with the US-backed opposition and added he would support early parliamentary elections, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday.

“I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela,” Maduro told the Russian state news agency in an interview in Caracas.

Last week the Latin American country was plunged into uncertainty when the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself “acting president”.

The United States, a dozen Latin American countries and Canada have recognized Guaido as interim president, while China and Russia have urged non-interference.

In the interview with RIA Novosti, Maduro also said he would support early parliamentary elections.

“It would be very good to conduct parliamentary elections at an earlier stage, it would be a good form of political discussion,” Maduro said.

At the same time, he dismissed the possibility of holding a new presidential poll any time soon.

“Presidential elections in Venezuela have taken place, and if imperialists want new elections let them wait until 2025,” he said in an apparent reference to Washington.

Source: AFP