Venezuelan leader Maduro thanks Trump for making him famous

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has baited US President Donald Trump by thanking him for a barrage of criticism that has made him famous worldwide.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves as he arrives for a panel session titled 'Oil and Geopolitics: Causes and Consequences' during the Russian Energy Week in Moscow, Russia, 04 October 2017.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves as he arrives for a panel session. Source: AAP

"It's an honour that the head of the empire mentions me every day," said the 54-year-old president, who is just back in Venezuela from a trip to Russia, Belarus and Turkey.

"That means I'm doing something right!" Maduro laughed on Sunday, during his weekly program on state TV.

The US government, saying Venezuela has become a corrupt and repressive dictatorship, has widened individual sanctions on top officials including Maduro and also prohibited new debt dealings with Caracas.
Businessman-turned-president Trump has repeatedly criticised Maduro and his Socialist Party in public and at meetings with other heads of state.

"Donald Trump has become the head of the Venezuelan opposition," said Maduro, who has ruled the OPEC member since 2013 but seen his popularity plummet during an economic crisis.

"He has made me famous around the world. Every time he mentions me, they love me more," Maduro added, saying he had been acclaimed by people abroad on his visit to nations who have all had frayed relations with Washington.



Maduro said he had a one-and-half hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin where, among other subjects, he discussed the possibility of trading Venezuelan oil in roubles because of the US financial sanctions.

"A whole new world is opening up for Venezuela thanks to Trump's sanctions," said Maduro, who has also said he hopes to move Venezuela's commercial transactions to euros, yen and rupees.

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Source: Reuters, SBS

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