"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked what Nicolas Maduro had been like on the call with Donald Trump - after reports he had also been part of it - but refused to confirm it had even happened, speaking with reporters on Friday. "I would like to ask you how you felt about Nicolás Maduro in that conversation, you who have known him for years, about his behaviour, if you feel he is cornered as reported by the media, if he is open. to leave for another country in exchange for a pardon, if you would be considering meeting with him, how was that conversation? What can you tell us about the effect it is having on the person?" he was asked "I will not comment on any conversation of President Trump with anyone in the world, and if it existed or didn't exist. I will not comment on that," Rubio replied. " "This is about the national interests of the United States. And there is a regional threat that exists, and in the case of Venezuela, we do not have cooperation. To begin with, it is an illegitimate regime. Second, it is a regime that does not cooperate. It is anti-American in all its statements and actions. And third, it is a regime that not only does not cooperate with us, but openly cooperates with dangerous elements, terrorists, and criminals," he added. Rubio was giving his end-of-year press conference. The US has continued a military buildup in the Caribbean and conducted dozens of deadly strikes on alleged 'narco-boats' - while Donald Trump has warned of land strikes and even refused to rule out a ground invasion. Caracas has strongly denied the claims about drug trafficking and suggesting the US is intent on 'regime change'."