Venezuela is willing to negotiate with the United States on efforts to curb drug trafficking, President Nicolas Maduro said in a prerecorded interview broadcast on state television Thursday. However, he avoided commenting on a recent CIA led strike at a Venezuelan docking site that US officials believe was used by drug cartels. Speaking with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, Maduro repeated his claim that Washington aims to overthrow his government and gain access to Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves through a months long pressure campaign that began with a major US military deployment to the Caribbean in August.

Maduro said the United States is attempting to assert control through pressure, intimidation, and force, but added that the time has come for serious dialogue backed by concrete information. He stated that US officials are aware Venezuela is prepared to discuss a genuine agreement on combating drug trafficking and is also open to US investment in its oil sector, citing existing arrangements such as those involving Chevron. Chevron remains the only major oil company exporting Venezuelan crude to the United States, despite Venezuela holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

The interview was recorded on New Year’s Eve, the same day the US military announced strikes on five suspected drug smuggling boats. Those operations have now totaled 35 known boat strikes, resulting in at least 115 deaths, including Venezuelan nationals, according to US figures. President Donald Trump has defended the actions as necessary to stop drug flows into the United States, describing them as part of an armed conflict with drug cartels. The operations began off Venezuela’s Caribbean coast and later expanded into the eastern Pacific.

Separately, US intelligence officials said the CIA carried out a drone strike last week at a Venezuelan docking area believed to be used by drug traffickers, marking the first known direct action on Venezuelan territory since the maritime strikes began. The move represented a significant escalation in pressure on Maduro, who faces narco terrorism charges in the United States. When asked about the operation, Maduro said he would address the matter in the coming days.