CARIBBEAN Policy Consortium co-chairman Prof Anthony Bryan is hopeful recent comments by US President Donald Trump and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro could lead to a de-escalation of US-Venezuela tensions in the Caribbean and avert any possibility of military action against the South American nation.

In a comment on his television programme Con Maduro on November 17, Maduro said he was willing to hold talks with US government officials. This came hours after Trump said he was willing to speak with Maduro.

Trump said Venezuela had requested formal discussions.