Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro Wants to Resume Talks with Opposition

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has said he wants to resume talks with the opposition.

Nicolas Maduro also said he wanted local elections to take place.

The president’s comments came as another large demonstration is planned for April 24 after three weeks of tense protests across the country.

Demonstrators have been calling for presidential elections due next year to be brought forward and for Nicolas Maduro to step down.

The 2016 negotiations between the opposition and the government broke down when the opposition accused Nicolas Maduro of breaking agreements and using the talks to buy time.

Speaking during his Sunday TV program, Nicolas Maduro endorsed the idea of elections for mayors and state governors but did not mention a vote at presidential level.

“Elections – yes, I want elections now,” the president said.

“That is what I say as the head of state, and as the head of government.”

Elections for state governors were to have taken place in December 2016, and local mayoral elections are due this year.

April 22 saw silent marches across Venezuela as protestors, wearing white, showed their respect for around 20 people who have died in recent demonstrations.

Human rights campaigners say more than 1,000 people were detained during recent disturbances and over 700 are still in detention.

The opposition blames the government for a severe economic crisis which has left Venezuela with shortages of food, basic goods and medicine.

The protests were sparked by an attempt by the government-controlled Supreme Court to assume some powers of the opposition-dominated Congress.