Maduro Calls US 'Brother Country,' Signals 'Serious' Talks on Drugs, Oil

• Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the US a "brother country" and signaled readiness for "serious" talks with Donald Trump.
• Maduro proposed cooperation on drug trafficking and offered US firms unrestricted access to Venezuela’s oil sector.
• The conciliatory remarks were made in a New Year’s Eve interview, broadcast on state television on New Year’s Day.
• This shift in tone follows a major US military buildup in the southern Caribbean.
• Maduro recalled a phone call where Trump addressed him as "Mr. President," implying recognition of his authority.

Why It Matters: Maduro shifts tone, seeks "serious" talks with Trump on drug trafficking and oil access for US firms.