Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Macron in need of oil, shifts stance over Maduro

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Nov 2022 20:18
  • 4 Shares
3 Min Read

The French President shakes hands with his Venezuelan counterpart despite describing him in 2019 as "illegitimate".

  • x
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro shaking hands on the sidelines of the climate summit in Egypt
    French President Emmanuel Macron and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro shaking hands on the sidelines of the climate summit in Egypt

In a major foreign policy reversal, French President Emmanuel Macron shook hands and held a conversation on Monday with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, on the sidelines of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.

The two presidents shook hands for one-and-a-half-minute and chatted on the sidelines of the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, despite Macron describing Maduro in 2019 as "illegitimate."

"I would be happy if we could talk to each other for longer to engage in useful bilateral work for the region," Macron told Maduro, according to a video recording of the encounter.

Addressing Maduro as "President", he added that "I will call you."

France, the US, and several European allies did not recognize Maduro's democratic re-election to a second term in the 2018 elections and instead recognized his rival, Juan Guaido, as acting president, despite that the latter lost, democratically.

In 2019, Macron recognized Guaido as acting president, describing Maduro's election as "illegitimate" and calling for "a restoration of democracy" in the country.

However, in an earlier semi-reversal in mid-June, the French presidency called for a "diversification of supplies", including oil supplies from Iran and Venezuela to help bring down soaring crude prices fuelled by the war in Ukraine.

"We need producing countries to produce in an exceptional measure," the presidency said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the Bavarian Alps.

Related News

Pezeshkian, Maduro reinforce Iran-Venezuela strategic ties

Maduro’s coalition dominates Venezuela’s 2025 municipal elections

"Excellent handshake with the President of France Emmanuel Macron," Maduro tweeted after the meeting. "The doors of Venezuela are open for the French people."

French President Macron very respectfully spoke with Venezuelan President Maduro at UN climate conference COP27

Macron made it clear France recognizes Venezuela's constitutionally elected government, referring to Maduro as president and proposing dialoguepic.twitter.com/n3tZ2QutVe

— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) November 8, 2022

"Macron's Big U-turn on Maduro's Venezuela," commented France's left-wing daily Liberation.

Commenting on the two presidents' conversation, the leader of France's left-wing France Unbowed party (LFI) Jean-Luc Melenchon, tweeted that the "need for oil makes people polite." 

Melenchon said that Macron had finally recognized the election of Maduro.

Rencontre bien amicale d'Emmanuel #Macron et Nicolas #Maduro à Charm el-Cheikh. Le besoin de pétrole rend poli.#COP27 https://t.co/caviHajVHI

— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) November 7, 2022

The encounter came as Macron prepares this week to host Colombia's first left-wing President Gustavo Petro, who has renewed diplomatic relations with its neighbor Venezuela and wants to normalize ties after a three-year rupture.

Venezuela is also sending a senior official to attend the Paris Peace Forum, a major annual conference backed by Macron that starts on Friday.

During the discussion between the two presidents, Maduro said that "France should play a positive role" in Latin America.

The conversation also saw Maduro declare that "we have very good friends in common" and ask Macron "when do you visit us?"

  • Venezuela
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • France
  • Nicolas Maduro
  • Climate Summit

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS