CARACAS/BRIDGETOWN (dpa-AFX) – After almost a year, representatives of the Venezuelan government and the opposition want to resume dialogue. The aim of the talks on Tuesday in the Caribbean state of Barbados was to reach a political agreement, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, which is acting as a mediator in the talks, said on Monday. The Venezuelan opposition is calling for a free and fair presidential election next year, and the authoritarian government in Caracas wants to see an end to international sanctions and the release of frozen assets.
Negotiators from the two camps last met for talks in Mexico in November last year. At that time, the two sides agreed to establish a UN-managed fund to finance food aid, health and education. The US government eased sanctions against the South American country’s oil sector.
Venezuela has been in a serious political crisis for years. President Nicolás Maduro is taking tough action against government opponents and has banned several leading opposition figures from political activity. Economically, the once rich country suffers from mismanagement, corruption and sanctions. According to the UN, more than seven million people have left the country in recent years because of poverty and violence./dde/DP/he