Talks between the Venezuelan government and a coalition of opposition parties have reached a stalemate which facilitators from the Vatican are hoping to break.
ADVERTISEMENTTalks between the Venezuelan government and a coalition of opposition parties have reached a stalemate which facilitators from the Vatican are hoping to break.
The Democratic Unity Round Table said it would sit out further meetings unless President Nicolas Maduro’s leftist administration made concessions.
It says the government has failed to keep electoral and foreign aid promises.
Jesus Torrealba, Secretary General of the Democratic Unity Round Table said:
“There was no meeting with the government today. And in the meeting with the mediators, a joint proposal was made to reactivate and relaunch the dialogue process so that it is useful to the country and has results.”
A recent recession and spiralling inflation in the oil-rich nation have left millions unable to find or afford food. Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, has been blamed for the situation. But he has vowed to stay in office until his term ends in 2019.
Mayor of Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez, gave this show of support for the president:
“The Bolivarian government of Venezuela does not bend to nor accept any ultimatums, nor does it accept any type of pressure from any power in the world.”
Opposition parties are vying to oust Maduro through a recall referendum. Opinion polls suggest the leader has an approval rating of around 20 percent.