Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Saturday morning with Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela. Praising Venezuela's positions in confronting the Zionist regime, His Eminence stated that the insistence of this country on its courageous positions and its strategic influence in Latin America is the reason why the camp of arrogance shows enmity towards it, further reiterating: "The definite decision of the Islamic Republic is to continue and increase cooperation with Venezuela in all areas."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the suspicious reduction in the price of oil in a short period of time as a political and non-economic move, adding: "Our mutual enemies are using oil as a political tool and they are definitely involved in this considerable reduction in the price of oil."
Expressing his agreement with the negotiations between the presidents of Iran and Venezuela about responding to this reduction, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "Of course, cooperation between the two countries is not confined to oil issues and we should increase economic deals and investments between Iran and Venezuela. Currently, cooperation between the two countries is below the level that we expect."
His Eminence praised the resistance, positions and actions of Venezuela on a regional and international level and stressed: "Latin American countries are, in fact, the strategic depth of Venezuela and Venezuela's ideals have led to the awakening of many nations in that region. This is the reason why America shows enmity to the government and people of Venezuela."
He referred to the good positions that Venezuela adopted during the 51-day war in Gaza, adding: "The Zionist regime is hated throughout the world - particularly among regional nations - and your courageous positions against this regime have created many friends for you among different nations."
Maduro also touched on the reduction in the price of oil and said: "We are trying to form a consensus about controlling the price of oil among members of OPEC and also the other countries which export oil - such as Russia - so that we can raise the price of oil at a reasonable rate by benefiting from new mechanisms."
Elsewhere in his statements, the President of Venezuela referred to the issue of Palestine, saying: "Palestine is one of the main ideals of humanity and the people and government of Venezuela owe a great deal to the Palestinian ideal. We are confident that one day, Palestine will be free."
He added: "Palestine is a victim of the arrogant and destructive policies of America. The government of America tries to hide its inhumane and imperialist face behind a thousand masks."
