Maduro calls on Obama to revoke executive order against Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday called on his U.S. counterpart to revoke an executive order that labeled his country a security threat.

"It is an atrocity that I hope Barack Obama corrects before he leaves office," Maduro said during his weekly program, reiterating his government's willingness to improve diplomatic ties with the United States.

In a message directly addressing the U.S. head of state, Maduro said "in spite of the arrogance, aggression and negative legacy, you, President Barack Obama, can garner the admiration and respect of Venezuela, if you have the courage to sign a decree revoking that infamous executive order that claims our beloved country is a threat."

Venezuela will formally request the White House revoke the decree during an upcoming meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, so Obama "can leave with a message of peace for Venezuela," said Maduro.

While ties between the two countries have been sour since Venezuela's socialist party first came to power some 15 years ago, the 2015 decree calling the South American country "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," marked a particular low point.

In 2014, Maduro named Maximilien Arvelaiz to be his ambassador to Washington, but the White House has yet to respond.

"Two years to give your blessing to an ambassador designated by a government of our continent, by Venezuela. What do you call that? I call it arrogance, contempt, and social racism," said Maduro.

A day after the U.S. elections, Maduro spoke with Kerry to request the two countries establish a "positive agenda" with which to work when the administration of president-elect Donald Trump takes over in January. Endi