{"id":644183,"date":"2019-05-30T06:59:49","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T06:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"
\"Venezuelan<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\"Venezuelan
Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said talks hosted by Norway between his delegation and that of President Nicolas Maduro would continue despite Wednesday\u2019s discussions ending \u201cwithout agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thank the Norwegian government for its desire to contribute to a solution to the chaos our country is suffering. We\u2019re prepared to continue alongside them,\u201d Guaido said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Maduro also expressed support for dialogue on Wednesday, saying in televised remarks that: \u201cI believe in dialogue. Our path is dialogue, respect for the constitution, peace, democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delegations representing the Venezuelan rivals met face-to-face in Oslo for the first time this week in a process begun two weeks ago under Norwegian auspices to find a solution to the South American country\u2019s economic and political crises.<\/p>\n

Venezuela has been ravaged by five years of recession marked by shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines.<\/p>\n

It was plunged deeper into political turmoil in January when National Assembly speaker Guaido declared himself acting president in a direct challenge to Maduro\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n

He was quickly backed by more than 50 countries in his bid to oust the socialist leader that the National Assembly has branded illegitimate over his controversial re-election last year in polls the opposition claims were fraudulent.<\/p>\n

Despite agreeing to talks, Guaido insisted in his statement that the opposition\u2019s aims have not changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve ratified our plan: the end of the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections, as a route to solve the tragedy our Venezuela is suffering today,\u201d said Guaido.<\/p>\n

He also insisted that the Oslo talks \u201cdon\u2019t stop the opposition\u2019s efforts in every constitutional area\u201d to force Maduro from power.<\/p>\n

\n
Get more stories like this on Twitter<\/a><\/i><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n