Maduro earlier dismissed the US promise to send relief aid to the crisis-hit South American country as a “political stunt” and a pretext for invasion, as Washington has refused to recognize the legitimate government of Venezuela, also imposing sanctions on Caracas.

“They are trying to destroy the independence and sovereignty of the country under the pretext of delivering humanitarian aid. They are trying to destabilize our country, but this has not brought [them] any success”, the Venezuelan president stressed.

“Venezuela will not allow the show of… humanitarian aid because we do not beg from anyone”, he told reporters. “Venezuela is not suffering the humanitarian crisis fabricated by Washington over the last four years to justify intervening in our country.”

The president also stated that Venezuela planned to increase oil production by 1 million barrels per day in 2019.

“We are coping well with difficulties, our oil industry will move forward, despite the aggression, there are enough oil markets in the world for oil produced by Venezuela,” Maduro said at a press conference broadcast in his Twitter blog.

Maduro confirmed that he is ready to hold early parliamentary elections in the country in order to end the ongoing political crisis. According to him, at least 2 million people have signed letter demanding that the US stop interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

“I propose early elections to the National Assembly, and I will ratify them,” Maduro told reporters, adding that he would like to “see people voting for a new National Assembly that will help the country and contribute to its stabilization.”

Source: Sputnik