Although accusations come and go between Caracas and Washington, There is talk that new approaches are taking place this Thursday and Friday. It would be a meeting between Jorge Rodríguez, head of the Chavismo delegation in the negotiations with the opposition, and Juan González, White House advisor for Latin America.
(Also read: International pressure increases on Venezuela due to the disqualification of María C. Machado)
Details are unknown, but the meeting would be taking place on a Caribbean island.
Fuentes assures that the meeting is to reduce the tensions that were generated after the United States once again imposed sanctions on Venezuela, after the disqualification of María Corina Machado.
Gonzáles and Rodríguez have already met on other occasions without a public agenda. Last year there were several meetings in Qatar that were denied by Rodríguez, but That gave way to the Barbados agreements in October, which were signed by the opposition.
(You may be interested: Why does the United States recognize that the sanctions against Venezuela have not worked?)
The United States is pushing for Venezuela to hold “free, fair and competitive” elections in exchange for sanctions relief. Otherwise, it threatens to lift the relief in April, the date on which the oil licenses granted by the US expire in October.
The opposition claims that the Government has violated the Barbados agreements and sent a request to Norway, the mediating country, to review the agreements.
(Also read: Venezuela: US issues ultimatum to comply with Barbados agreements or there will be sanctions)
Although there is no date for presidential elections, which correspond to this year, there are rumors that they could be held in May. On Tuesday, Jorge Rodríguez, who insulted the United States, assured that the date would be known before April 18.
ANA MARÍA RODRÍGUEZ BRAZÓN
TIME CORRESPONDENT
CARACAS
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