Venezuela Makes Progress in Talks with Opposition
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Both parties reported making progress on several issues in the Mexico City talks, mediated by Norway.
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Opposition delegate Gerardo Blyde Pérez, Norwegian mediator Dag Nylander, and the head of the Caracas delegation Jorge Rodriguez (From left to right) (AFP)
Caracas and Guaido's opposition reported making progress toward resolving their differences in the Norway-mediated, New Mexico-held talks during their third round, which concluded on Monday.
The positions of the two sides "moved closer in the search for solutions to the challenges in social, economic, and political matter," said a statement read by Norwegian mediator Dag Nylander.
The joint statement did not get into details regarding the areas in which progress was made during the negotiations, which aimed at solving the political crisis in Venezuela.
However, the parties did report making advances in efforts to establish a mechanism for consultations with "national and international political and social actors to support the negotiations."
Caracas is aiming for sanction relief from the West-imposed sanctions exacerbating the crisis in Venezuela, while the opposition mainly wants to ensure their participation in the upcoming regional elections.
Neither President Maduro, who the opposition accuses of fraud over his re-election in 2018, nor Guaido, the leader of the opposition who was suddenly considered President by nearly 60 countries, is personally taking part in the negotiations.
Making comments to Venezuelan state television, Maduro welcomed "another successful step in the talks."
President Maduro tweeted the joint statement and commended the document following the conclusion of the talks.
Esta semana se desarrolló una buena jornada de trabajo, en plenaria entre los representantes de las oposiciones y la delegación del Gobierno Constitucional de Venezuela. Adoptamos en consenso un importante documento. #SeguimosAvanzandoEnMéxico hacia la Paz. pic.twitter.com/ZZ8UCZrDFf
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) September 28, 2021
The Caracas delegation arrived in Mexico City on Saturday to begin the third round of talks with the opposition, according to National Assembly President and Head of the Caracas delegation Jorge Rodriguez.
