Caracas, Sep 16: Venezuela’s opposition has said on Sunday the talks mediated by the Norwegian government between embattled President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition Juan Guaido to resolve a political turmoil had “finished”, some six weeks after Maduro-led authority halted participation.
In an official statement, Guaido’s office said: “The dictatorial regime of Nicolas Maduro abandoned the negotiation process with false excuses,” adding, “After more than 40 days in which they have refused to continue, we confirm that the Barbados mechanism is finished.”
However, Venezuela’s information ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Despite the major setback, Norwegian diplomats are still carrying out potential ways to resolve spat between Venezuela’s political rivalries, according to Dag Nylander – leading global peace and reconciliation efforts at Norway’s Foreign Ministry.
“Norway is facilitating the negotiation process in Venezuela at the request of the principal political actors in the country, and reiterates its readiness to continue in this role as long as the parties consider it useful, and advance in the search of a negotiated solution,” Nylander tweeted on Monday.
The opposition negotiators of Venezuela had said Maduro’s diplomats were not flagging green to discuss the opposition’s focus – a new poll under fair and free conditions.
In the statement – which called a message to “the people and the armed forces”, Guaido’s office appreciated Norway’s mediation efforts for facilitating the negotiation process but didn’t examine the next moves.
“We must prepare to begin a new phase of this struggle that will require greater commitment, strength, determination, sacrifice and conviction from everyone,” the statement said, according to Reuters.