Venezuela calls on US to reopen diplomatic ties

[CARACAS] Venezuela's socialist government on Wednesday called on the United States to restore diplomatic ties with Caracas after it opened talks with fringe opposition parties.

Venezuela broke off relations with the United States after Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president on January 23.

Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez told reporters in Caracas that it made sense for the US "to restore diplomatic contacts and dialogue with the government" of President Nicolas Maduro.

Mr Rodriguez said Washington is left with only "a single path," having failed to remove Mr Maduro from power, and that is "negotiation and diplomatic communication."

President Donald Trump's administration had targeted Venezuela's oil industry and Mr Maduro's inner circle with a raft of economic sanctions.

The US blames Mr Maduro for the economic collapse of Venezuela, from which millions have fled due to shortages of basic goods, and considers him illegitimate after widespread reports of irregularities in last year's election.

Both Mr Maduro and Mr Trump said last month that talks had been taking place involving senior officials from the two sides.

Mr Rodriguez also welcomed Monday's agreement between the government and minority opposition parties - outside of Mr Guaido's coalition - to open negotiations on political changes aimed at resolving Venezuela's crisis.

Former presidential candidate Javier Bertucci joined the pact on Wednesday.

The agreement involves the return of around 55 socialist lawmakers to the opposition-dominated National Assembly and the release of political prisoners.

Mr Guaido's deputy as National Assembly leader, Edgar Zambrano, was the first to be released late Tuesday. Mr Zambrano said 58 other opposition figures would be released from Wednesday.

The National Assembly's deputy vice president Stalin Gonzalez said Wednesday that the agreement would allow Mr Maduro "to cling to power."

The National Assembly is the only one of Venezuela's governing institutions not under Mr Maduro's control.

In a defiant move on Tuesday, the National Assembly confirmed Mr Guaido as its leader.

AFP