Venezuela to hold talks to end crisis

The Venezuelan government and opposition leaders have agreed to hold talks to end the ongoing crisis in the country.

According to Press TV, following preliminary talks on Tuesday, the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition Democratic Unity coalition (MUD) agreed to attend formal negotiations aimed at ending weeks of street clashes that have left scores of people dead.

Maduro stated “We spoke frankly, directly and respectfully. There were moments of tension, but we agreed to start a cycle of meetings.”

The talks, scheduled for Thursday, will be broadcast live on television and radio.

Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who lost the presidential election to Maduro last year, will also be attending the talks.

Representatives from the Vatican and regional bodies such as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) are also expected to take part in the negotiations.