Maduro and the Art of the Deal

I get the strong sense that Nicolas Maduro is trying to speak to Donald Trump in his own language. He is now basically saying he's ready to make a deal. Does Trump want oil? Then let's talk oil. You concerned about drug trafficking? Let's work together on it!

Can this work? I don't know! But Maduro has every reason to give it a try. It's notable that he is not using insults the way he sometimes has in the past, which was definitely Hugo Chavez's thing. He knows his position is vulnerable and that Trump has a very thin skin so he is staying careful. He knows Trump really does not want to invade but also needs to proclaim victory somehow and he wants to figure out how to do that and remain in power.

Meanwhile, he is intentionally remaining mum on the CIA attack on Venezuela, which remains totally shrouded in mystery. Vaguely we know it was a drone but given the lack of evidence I have to wonder what it actually did. This is all so strange.