Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro invites Barack Obama to join him in talks

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has invited President Barack Obama to join him in talks aimed at resolving the problems between his country and the US.

Nicolas Maduro said the meeting would help “put the truth out on the table”.

He has accused US conservatives and media organizations of plotting to overthrow his government.

Earlier on Friday Venezuela revoked the accreditations of CNN reporters covering the country’s crisis. Eight people have died in recent protests.

In a news conference on Friday, Nicolas Maduro said: “I call for a dialogue between Venezuela and the United States and its government.

“Let’s initiate a high-level dialogue and let’s put the truth out on the table.”

The dialogue will be “difficult and complex”, Nicolas Maduro said, until the American government accepted “the full autonomy and independence of Latin America”.

Last week, Venezuela expelled three US diplomats accused of meeting violent groups linked to the opposition.

Earlier this week, Venezuela had revoked the accreditation of CNN’s Caracas-based reporter, Osmary Hernandez, and those of two other CNN journalists sent to Venezuela to cover a wave of opposition marches.

The government says the protests are part of a coup attempt.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, denounced the latest action on Friday, saying: “This is not how democracies behave.

“I call on the Venezuelan government to step back from its efforts to stifle dissent through force and respect basic human rights.

“The solution to Venezuela’s problems can only be found through dialogue with all Venezuelans, engaging in a free exchange of opinions in a climate of mutual respect.”