CARACAS – US President Donald Trump said on Jan 11 that his administration was working well with

– and that he would be open to meeting her.

Mr Trump’s upbeat remarks came just over a week after Venezuelan leader

Nicolas Maduro was seized in a US special forces raid

and taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

The US President has said that the US now has de facto control of Venezuela, as it enforces a naval blockade of the South American nation’s vital oil exports.

Ms Rodriguez, despite being a close Maduro ally, has indicated a willingness to work with the US, saying she is open to cooperate on Mr Trump’s demands for access to Venezuelan oil.

Her government has also vowed to release political prisoners and begin talks on reestablishing diplomatic ties with Washington.

US envoys visited Caracas on Jan 9 to discuss reopening Washington’s embassy there.

“Venezuela is really working out well. We’re working along really well with the leadership,” Mr Trump told reporters on Jan 11 aboard Air Force One.