Venezuelan President stated on Thursday that his administration is willing to negotiate a deal with the United States following months of U.S. military pressure aimed at drug trafficking networks linked to his government.

In a pre-recorded interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet broadcast on state TV, Maduro said Venezuela is “ready” to discuss a with the U.S., urging both nations to “begin serious discussions, with facts on the table.”

“The U.S. government is aware, as we’ve informed many of their representatives, that if they wish to seriously negotiate an agreement to fight drug trafficking, we are prepared,” he stated. “If they desire oil, Venezuela is open to U.S. investment, such as with Chevron, whenever, wherever, and however they want.”

major U.S. oil company presently shipping Venezuelan crude to the United States.

Maduro claimed the U.S. seeks regime change in Venezuela and access to its oil reserves via a months-long pressure campaign that started with a major in August.

He stated it is evident the U.S. aims “to impose its will through threats, intimidation, and force.”

The interview was taped on New Year’s Eve, the same day as the that resulted in five deaths on two vessels run by designated terrorist groups engaged in narcotics trafficking.

A minimum of 114 individuals have died since the U.S. started bombing suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in early September.

The U.S. could be indicating a potential expansion of its Venezuela-focused operations, possibly including ground missions.

President verified that a strike last week hit what he called a Venezuelan port utilized for drug trafficking, but refused to specify whether the operation was conducted by the U.S. military or another agency, like the CIA.

Maduro refused to address during the interview, but mentioned he could “discuss it in a few days.”

In recent weeks, Trump has ramped up pressure on Maduro, commanding a complete blockade of oil tankers entering or exiting Venezuela, labeling his regime a foreign terrorist organization, and charging it with using stolen U.S. assets to finance terrorism, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.

U.S. officials have also confiscated two vessels transporting sanctioned oil.

Digital’s Greg Wehner, Morgan Phillips, Jasmine Baehr and