As the United States and Cuba signaled new cooperation, President Obama also heard criticism of his recent order designating Venezuela a threat to national security. The White House backed off the order last week, but Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro told Obama he does not trust him.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: “I want to believe you. But I don’t trust you. I respect you, but I don’t trust you, President Obama. If you are willing, we’ll talk. But if you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. It will be your legacy with Venezuela — the order, the silence, the predominance. I have said it several times, President Obama. Don’t let things happen as they did with George W. Bush, who supported the coup against Comandante Chávez. History should go another way. I extend my hand, President Obama, so that we can talk and resolve the issues we have to resolve between the United States of North America and Venezuela in peace.”

Maduro presented the summit with a petition signed by millions of Venezuelans calling on Obama to rescind the order. He later said he hopes to explore talks with the United States and “relations with respect.”

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: “It was a serious, frank meeting. We told the truth, but it was cordial. We believe that the result of the summit, supported by the handing over of 10.5 million signatures, with the support of the people, with the willingness of our peoples, we could open up the possibility of a process for talks with the United States government and explore a path to relations with respect, which is fundamental.”