Venezuelan regime and opposition begin talks to resume dialogue in Mexico

The opposition United Platform of Venezuela and the regime of Nicolás Maduro met on Tuesday in Mexico to begin "formal talks" that could lead to the resumption of the dialogue between the two parties after the United States announced the lifting of some economic sanctions against Venezuela.

"The delegation of the Unitary Platform for the negotiation among 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, in order to achieve its prompt reactivation," the coalition reported in a statement shared on Twitter.

The opposition detailed that, "the new talks will include meetings and discussions" that will aim to "specify and agree on the necessary elements for the prompt resumption of this negotiation process, which should not have been suspended."

"We reiterate our total willingness to urgently build a great political agreement to achieve the recovery of Venezuela through the democratic reinstitutionalization of the country, the holding of free, fair, and transparent elections, and the restoration of fundamental rights for all Venezuelans," he added.

Delegación de la Plataforma Unitaria de Venezuela informa inicio de conversaciones formales para lograr el reinicio del proceso de negociación en México https://t.co/ulDNw7Te7g pic.twitter.com/BkADibhMdL

— Centro de Comunicación Nacional (@Presidencia_VE) May 17, 2022

The president of the pro-Chávez 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.

"In work meeting for future plans. In rescuing the spirit of Mexico," posted Rodriguez, who is also head of the Miraflores delegation in the political dialogue process, which was suspended in October 2021.

En reunión de trabajo para planes de futuro. En el rescate del espíritu de México pic.twitter.com/F21CRp9jlm

— Jorge Rodríguez (@jorgerpsuv) May 17, 2022

He reiterated his demand that Maduro's alleged frontman, Alex Saab, extradited to the United States from Cape Verde in October, participate in the negotiation in Mexico as well.

"Our brother Alex Saab, kidnapped for 704 days, is a full member of the Venezuelan delegation and is our delegate to the social table we are discussing. In that sense, Venezuela has demanded, demands and will demand the participation of Alex Saab in any of the work initiatives that are eventually agreed upon," Rodriguez posted on his Twitter account after the confirmation of the meeting with Blyde.

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