Venezuelan dictatorship rejects Norway's offer to mediate talks with opposition

The regime of Nicolas Maduro has said it is unwilling to resume dialogue with the Venezuelan opposition if Norway serves as the primary facilitator as it did last year when negotiations were held in Mexico, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Maduro has insisted on Russia's presence in any negotiations where issues related to free elections and the lifting of U.S. economic sanctions on Venezuela are addressed.

The Venezuelan opposition, for its part, expects Norway to retain its role as facilitator, citing the Nordic country’s previous success in negotiating several past conflicts in Latin America and elsewhere.

Last week, after it was announced that Washington would lift some sanctions from Venezuela, the regime met with the opposition to initiate “formal talks” that could eventually lead to the resumption of talks in Mexico.

"The delegation for the negotiation between Venezuelans, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed in Mexico City on August 13, 2021, informs Venezuelans and the international community that it has initiated formal talks with our counterpart, with the aim of achieving its prompt reactivation," the opposition coalition reported in a statement shared on Twitter.

For his part, the president of the pro-Chavez National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, shared a photo on Twitter where he is accompanied by the spokesman of the Unitary Platform, Gerardo Blyde, confirming that both parties held talks.

"Working hard to make future plans. For the rescue of the spirit of Mexico," said Rodriguez, who is also head of the Miraflores delegation in the political dialogue process, suspended in October 2021.

Rodriguez also reiterated his demand that Maduro's alleged front man, Alex Saab -- extradited to the United States from Cape Verde in October -- participate in the negotiations in Mexico.

The regime suspended negotiations with the opposition in October following the extradition of Saab, accused of conspiracy to launder money. The dialogue was taking place in Mexico City led by Norwegian diplomats.