Venezuelan president meets with opposition leaders amid political crisis
- 7 years ago
Venezuela’s embattled leader Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with opposition leaders.
It is the first time this year that the two opposing sides have sat down together to find a solution to the political crisis.
Some in the opposition expressed fears the Vatican-mediated talks were an attempt by Maduro to buy time. The Pope’s special envoy Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli appeared to respond to criticism calling for solid outcomes, saying, “The Pope is closely following the complex situation of this beloved country, and is deeply concerned about the tensions, and his desire is to encourage the successful realisation of this process.”
The opposition wants a referendum on Maduro’s leadership as well as the release of political prisoners. The Democratic Unity coalition has led mass protests after authorities suspended the vote to recall the socialist president.
It comes amidst a sharp economic downturn which sees regular shortages of foodstuffs and medicine as well as power cuts, something the opposition blames on the government.
Useful hashtags
#vzlanoquieredialogo (Venezuela doesn’t want dialogue)
#DialogoSiGolpeNo (Yes to dialogue, No to Coup)
It is the first time this year that the two opposing sides have sat down together to find a solution to the political crisis.
Some in the opposition expressed fears the Vatican-mediated talks were an attempt by Maduro to buy time. The Pope’s special envoy Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli appeared to respond to criticism calling for solid outcomes, saying, “The Pope is closely following the complex situation of this beloved country, and is deeply concerned about the tensions, and his desire is to encourage the successful realisation of this process.”
The opposition wants a referendum on Maduro’s leadership as well as the release of political prisoners. The Democratic Unity coalition has led mass protests after authorities suspended the vote to recall the socialist president.
It comes amidst a sharp economic downturn which sees regular shortages of foodstuffs and medicine as well as power cuts, something the opposition blames on the government.
Useful hashtags
#vzlanoquieredialogo (Venezuela doesn’t want dialogue)
#DialogoSiGolpeNo (Yes to dialogue, No to Coup)