Venezuelan opposition says that dialogue with Maduro “sold out”
The Venezuelan opposition said Sunday that the dialogue mechanism through the Norwegian Foreign Ministry to seek a way out of the country's deep political crisis ended six weeks after the government of President Nicolás Maduro suspended his participation.
Opposition leader, Juan Guaidó .. / Via EFE – REUTERS
Reuters | Luc Cohen
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Leer en español: Oposición de Venezuela dice que diálogo con Maduro “se agotó”
The talks, which were mostly held on the Caribbean island of Barbados, began after the opposition leader Juan Guaidó in April led a failed military uprising against Maduro, accused of human rights violations, hyperinflation and the economic collapse that has caused the flight of millions of Venezuelans.
Maduro's delegation withdrew in early August in response to the decision of US President Donald Trump to tighten sanctions against the OPEC nation.
"The dictatorial regime of Nicolás Maduro abandoned the negotiation process with fallacious excuses," Guaidó's office said in a statement released on Twitter. "After more than 40 days in which they have refused to continue in it, we confirm that the Barbados mechanism was exhausted."
Critics of the dialogue within Venezuela's opposition coalition allege that Maduro was negotiating in bad faith and used the talks to gain time.
Neither the Ministry of Communication and Information of Venezuela nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway responded immediately to requests for comment.
Guiadó, who presides over the National Assembly controlled by the opposition, in January invoked the Constitution of Venezuela to assume the interim presidency, arguing that the re-election of Maduro in 2018 was fraudulent. More than 50 countries, including the United States, have recognized Guaidó as the legitimate leader of the South American country.
Also read: Maduro: "Colombia is attempting a military aggression against Venezuela"
But Maduro, who calls Guaidó "puppet" from the United States who seeks to overthrow him, has remained in power despite the economic crisis and international isolation. The military remain next to the president despite calls from the opposition to withdraw support.
Maduro also has the support of allied countries such as Russia and China.
"We must prepare ourselves to begin a new stage of this struggle that will require greater commitment, strength, determination, sacrifice, and conviction of all," reads the text, "the people and the armed forces", signed by Guaidó.
Opposition negotiators were only willing to resume talks to continue discussing the date of an eventual presidential election, an issue they claim was discussed at that table in Barbados.
