Trump downplays remarks about meeting Venezuela’s Maduro

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FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. The Trump administration increased pressure on Venezuelan Maduro, Thursday, June 18, targeting a lifeline he's used for selling crude oil run by a close associate of the socialist leader who was recently jailed in Cape Verde. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Donald Trump appears to be walking back comments that he would consider meeting Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro following an interview that cast doubt on his support for the socialist leader’s main rival, Juan Guaidó. Trump said in a tweet Monday that “I would only meet with Maduro to discuss one thing: a peaceful exit from power!” The news website Axios reported Sunday that Trump in an interview made lukewarm comments about recognizing Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate leader — the linchpin of the U.S.′ 18-month campaign to remove Maduro.