Venezuela’s foreign minister Jorge Arreaza has called for direct talks between President Nicolas Maduro and his US counterpart Donald Trump, to help ease the crisis gripping his country. The US has led a diplomatic campaign in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido who has declared himself interim president and is recognised by about 50 countries. Maduro has accused the United States of using aid as a political tool aimed at overthrowing him, and blames US sanctions for the economic turmoil in his country.