Venezuelan Crisis May Ease... Government and Opposition to Meet in August

Nicol?s Maduro, President of Venezuela [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] It has been reported that the Venezuelan government and opposition forces will hold a meeting in August. Attention is focused on whether the political crisis triggered by President Nicol?s Maduro's forced dissolution of the National Assembly in 2017 can be resolved after four years.

On the 8th (local time), major foreign media outlets cited sources familiar with the matter, reporting that senior Venezuelan government officials and opposition figures are expected to meet in Mexico in August.

The meeting is said to be conducted with Norway participating as a mediator.

Previously, in 2019, an unprecedented event occurred in Venezuela when National Assembly President Juan Guaid? declared himself president in opposition to the Maduro regime, resulting in two presidents in one country.

Juan Guaid? [Photo by Reuters]

In April, Guaid? attempted a coup by persuading some military factions. However, due to a lack of forces supporting Guaid?, the coup attempt was quickly suppressed, and President Maduro was able to maintain power.

Subsequently, under Norwegian mediation, the Maduro government and the opposition led by Guaid? met to end the crisis, but the talks failed to reach a conclusion and negotiations broke down.

Since then, President Maduro has repeatedly expressed willingness to meet Guaid? and resume negotiations. This is interpreted as an effort to lift sanctions amid severe economic recession caused by ongoing international economic sanctions.

Additionally, it is reported that Guaid? is also willing to resume talks with the Maduro regime on the condition of holding new elections.

Last month, the United States and the European Union (EU) stated that they could consider lifting sanctions on Venezuela if the Maduro regime shows progress in conducting transparent and fair elections. Analysts suggest that this international signal of potential sanction relief is prompting President Maduro to pursue another meeting with the opposition.

In particular, this upcoming meeting is expected to be on a larger scale than the 2019 meeting, raising expectations for progress toward resolving the situation. A source said, "It will be a more complete form of consultation than the previous meeting."

Guaid? has also recently visited Brussels, Belgium, where the US and EU headquarters are located, reportedly gathering international support related to resolving the Venezuelan crisis.

Meanwhile, Venezuela has been experiencing a severe political and economic crisis since President Maduro forcibly dissolved the opposition-controlled National Assembly in 2017.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.