A new round of negotiations begins today between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, mediated by Norway, after the two sides described the first round of negotiations as positive.

The previous round took place between August 13-15, and a memorandum was signed, in which the two sides affirmed to respect the Venezuelan constitution, political and social coexistence; to renunciate violence, to compensate for victims of violence, to protect the national economy and guarantee to implement commitments.

The two sides agreed to work to ensure the rights of all Venezuelan citizens and electoral guarantees while defining the elections schedule with the participation of observers. They also agreed to work on lifting sanctions and restoring participants' rights in the political process.

President Nicolas Maduro mentioned that the two sides have assigned a set of requests and requirements that will be firmly maintained; the first of which is the immediate lifting of all sanctions in reference to a series of measures imposed on the government and its most prominent officials, including US embargo on Venezuelan oil.

The opposition led by Juan Guaido is demanding a new electoral timetable, including presidential elections scheduled for 2024, with guarantees on the legality of the vote as well as the release of political prisoners.