Author of the article:
Reuters
Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas
Publishing date:
Nov 24, 2022 • 18 hours ago • 2 minute read
Venezuela’s government and opposition will resume political talks after more than a year on Nov. 26 in Mexico, Norway’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Norway, which is facilitating the talks, said the parties would sign a “partial agreement” on a social plan.
Financial Post Top Stories
Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
The talks could help pave the way for slackening U.S. oil sanctions on the OPEC nation, helping to ease its long-running political and economic crises and opening the door for Washington to clear expanded operations by Chevron Corp in the country.
Advertisement 2
Previous talks were suspended in October 2021 by the government of President Nicolas Maduro, upset by the U.S. extradition of a businessman with ties to his administration.
The talks in host country Mexico are expected to include a “social plan” to provide humanitarian aid of some $3 billion in U.N.-administered funds, as well as U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, presidential elections and the status of hundreds of political prisoners.
Renewed political dialog in Venezuela has been repeatedly delayed due to disagreements over the terms, especially related to elections, as well as the origin of the funds for the social plan, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador commented on the news during his regular news conference on Thursday, saying he is grateful both sides trust Mexico to hold the talks.
Advertisement 3
“The idea is that we do not act in a leading role. What we want is that there is understanding so that we can move forward and achieve peace, tranquility and that there are agreements between the parties,” he said.
The United States is preparing an extended license for oil company Chevron’s operations in Venezuela if the meeting between the Venezuelan government and the opposition takes place, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.
Chevron is expected to get approval from Washington as early as Saturday to expand its operations in Venezuela. The approval would allow it to produce and export crude oil, the source added. (Reporting by Vivian Sequera, Deisy Buitrago and Mayela Armas in Caracas, Terje Solsvik in Oslo and Diego Ore and Brendan O’Boyle in Mexico City Writing by Steven Grattan Editing by Brad Haynes and Sandra Maler)
