Talks with opposition ‘successful’, says Venezuela govt but refuses to divulge details

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Photo: IANS)


The Venezuelan government has announced that its talks with the opposition, which were held in the Caribbean island of Barbados and mediated by Norway, had concluded successfully, but it did not give further details for the same on Thursday.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez tweeted on Wednesday that “the discussions in Barbados had ended and served as a space for the “settlement of disputes through constitutional and peaceful channels”.

He further said that the meetings were “successful” and thanked Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her hospitality.

No other leader has offered any details about these talks between the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the Speaker of the National Assembly, and opposition leader Juan Guaido, so far.

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed leader Juan Guaido said “the conditions exist” to find a way out of the national crisis on Tuesday.

President Maduro ordered the border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia in Tachira state to be closed, a day before the Venezuelan opposition unsuccessfully tried to bring in humanitarian aid by force to relieve shortages of medical supplies early this year.

Venezuela has been witnessing extreme political tensions since January when Maduro was sworn in for another six-year term after winning elections that were described as “fraudulent” by the opposition.