Venezuelans urged to end violent unrest through talks

The Organization of American States (OAS) has overwhelmingly called for talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition to end nearly one month of violent unrest that has gripped the country.

On Saturday, the OAS called for peace to be established in the protest-hit country amid calls by the opposition to continue protest rallies against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

This is while two-time presidential candidate, Henrique Capriles, who leads the opposition, has urged his supporters to take to the streets of the capital Caracas and elsewhere around the country. Capriles lost to Masduro in the presidential election in April 2013.

Violent protests in Caracas erupted last month and have so far claimed the lives of at least 20 people. The opposition has used the ongoing food shortage, among other major issues in the country to rally against the government of President Maduro.

Meanwhile, the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) also called for an end to the unrest in Venezuela, after violent protests left two people dead on Friday.

Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Elias Jaua announced that Unasur member states will meet on Tuesday in Chile to discuss the ongoing crisis in the South American country.

Jaua said the meeting will analyze the causes and consequences of “this new attack on Venezuelan peace and democracy.”

At least 20 people have so far been killed in Venezuela during a wave of violent protests that has hit the country since last month.

President Maduro has deplored the violence as the product of a fascist political minority.