Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thu...
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Even while criticizing Donald Trump's confrontational stance toward his socialist government, Maduro said he holds out hope of meeting the U.S. president to resolve an impasse over his recognition of opponent Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Miraflores presidential palace, where a painting of indep...
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Miraflores presidential palace, where a painting of independence hero Simon Bolivar hangs, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Maduro is inviting a U.S. special envoy to come to Venezuela after revealing during the interview that his foreign minister recently held secret meetings with the U.S. official in New York. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he sees obvious signs that President Nicolas Maduro is starting to understand Venezuelans reject him as their leader.
Pompeo's spoke with reporters Friday in Reykjavik, Iceland following an exclusive AP interview with Maduro, who said he's willing to meet President Donald Trump — any time or place.
Maduro says he holds out hope of a meeting to resolve a crisis over America's recognition of opponent Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader.
Pompeo says Maduro's request isn't new, but it reflects that he's realizing his crisis-riddled nation rejects his "model of governance."
Pompeo wouldn't say whether he would send envoy Elliott Abrams to meet Maduro in Caracas.
Maduro told the AP that his foreign minister has met Abrams twice in New York for talks.
