Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with the American television channel "Newsmax" that his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro is welcome in his country if he resigns from his government post, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
However, Lukashenko indicated that this issue had not been discussed with Maduro.
In recent months, the US has amassed military force in the southern Caribbean Sea and has begun striking vessels that Washington believes are used by drug traffickers. In addition, President Donald Trump said that ground operations by the US military could soon begin in Venezuela.
Caracas accused Washington of trying to overthrow the Venezuelan government in order to get its hands on the country's vast oil reserves.
Lukashenko said in his interview with "Newsmax" that Belarus and Venezuela have long-standing relations and that Maduro is welcome in Minsk if he so desires.
"Maduro has never been our enemy or foe. If he wants to come to Belarus, the door is open," Lukashenko said. "But to be honest, this issue has never been discussed. Maduro is not a person who will resign or flee, he is a heroic man," the Belarusian leader added.
Lukashenko also noted that he would be happy to discuss the issue of Venezuela and other topics with President Trump.