Venezuela govt. reports progress in crisis negotiations

The Venezuelan government and opposition delegations have reported progress in a new round of talks aimed at ending two months of street protests in the Latin American country.

The head of the government delegation, Vice President Jorge Arreaza, said the Tuesday meeting was held on good terms, with respect and tolerance.

During the meeting, Caracas accepted the opposition’s demand to broaden a truth commission probing the unrest. The government had initially wanted the commission to include just lawmakers; however, it accepted the opposition requests to add outside figures.

This is while the government delegation rejected the opposition demand for amnesty for 175 people arrested during disturbances at protest rallies.

Although the government denied the opposition’s demand, Arreaza said it left the possibility open for the future.

The talks began last week, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition Democratic Unity Coalition (MUD) delegation held a first-time televised meeting on April 10 in a possible first step toward defusing the ongoing tensions in the country.

Venezuela has been the scene of protests against and in support of the government since mid-February.

Maduro says the street clashes have inflicted some USD 10 billion in damage on the Venezuelan economy.

Caracas also says the opposition seeks to launch a coup d’état against the government with the backing of the United States.

The opposition, however, blames the Maduro administration for soaring inflation, rampant crime and shortage of essential goods.