Maduro says phone call with Trump was 'cordial'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed Wednesday that he had a "cordial" phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump 10 days ago amid a US military buildup in Latin America.

Since August, the United States has deployed a fleet of warships and the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean while carrying out deadly strikes on at least 22 vessels, killing at least 83, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.

However, Maduro has said the operation is a move to overthrow his leftist government and ultimately seize the country's vast oil reserves. Trump confirmed the telephone conversation with Maduro on Sunday without providing any details.