Venezuela's government and opposition have restarted talks to resolve the country's political crisis, but expectations are low. Economic ills have pushed the government back to the table, but concessions appear unlikely.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
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Two days of scheduled meetings between Venezuela's main opposition umbrella group, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), and President Nicolas Maduro's ruling Socialist Party have begun in the Dominican Republic.
The negotiations, slated to last through Saturday, have been initiated and organized by the Dominican government and the former president of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
Observers from several Latin American countries, including two of Maduro's main allies, Bolivia and Nicaragua, and two harsh critics, Mexico and Chile, are present. For the first time, the talks also include representatives from civil society groups. But several opposition parties are boycotting the talks, in addition to this month's mayoral elections.
"We hope that we can get something important for the people of Venezuela," said Dominican President Danilo Medina.
The opposition delegation, led by National Assembly President Julio Borges, has said its main demands are the opening of a humanitarian channel to allow shipments of medicine and food, a change in the composition of the Electoral Council, the release of the inmates they consider to be "political prisoners" and the restitution of constitutional powers to parliament.
Borges said the opposition is also pushing for guarantees that next year's presidential election will be free and fair.
"We come today determined to fight for basic rights, such as the right to vote, the right to democracy," Borges said, adding that the opposition could also take to the streets.
"We hope to defend the rights that have been taken from Venezuelans."
Venezuela on the brink
Venezuela is facing collapse amid multiple crises. DW takes a look at what has brought the oil-rich nation to its knees.
In March 2017, violent protests erupted across the country in response to a Supreme Court decision to strip the legislative branch of its powers. Amid an international outcry, President Nicolas Maduro reversed the decision, but it was too late. Thousands continued to take to the streets, calling for new elections. More than 100 people were killed in clashes with security forces.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Barreto
Hunger, a growing problem
The violence added to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans spend more than 30 hours a week waiting in lines to shop, and are often confronted with empty shelves when they finally enter a store. President Maduro blames the crisis on US price speculation. The opposition, however, accuses the Socialist government of economic mismanagement.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/C. Becerra
Health care in crisis
The crisis has even affected health care in the oil-rich nation. Venezuelans often head to Colombia to collect medical supplies to send home, as seen in this picture. Hospitals across Venezuela have compared conditions to those seen only in war zones. As patient deaths rise, health officials have sounded the alarm on the rise of malaria and dengue fever.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M.Duenas Castaneda
Power grab
By July 2017, Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly was established. For observers, it had all the hallmarks of a power grab. The new body adopted the authority to pass legislation on a range of issues, effectively taking away the powers of Venezuela's elected congress, which was under the opposition's control. The move drew wide international condemnation.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Miraflores
The West sanctions
In response to the political crisis, the United States and European Union imposed a series of sanctions against ruling officials. The US blacklisted members of the Constituent Assembly and froze all of Maduro's assets that are subject to US jurisdiction. The EU banned arms sales to the country.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/AFP/T. Schwarz
Government victorious in regional elections
In October 2017, Venezuela held two votes: regional elections and elections for governors, which were long overdue. The opposition boycotted the vote, but then split, as some candidates and small parties chose to participate. This caused a deep rift within Maduro's opponents. The government went on to sweep the vote, which detractors say was unfair and heavily favored the regime.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Debt default
In November 2017, the oil-rich, cash-poor nation faced its day of reckoning. Credit ratings agencies declared Venezuela and its state-run oil company in "selective default." But Russia offered to restructure the South American country's debt to ensure Caracas pays its other creditors. US and EU sanctions, however, limited the chance of an agreement.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Presidential elections scheduled
The National Assembly announced in January 2018 that it would grant Maduro's call for snap presidential elections. The electoral authority, CNE, held the elections on May 20. The EU, the US and 14 Latin American nations warned that they would not recognize the results. The mainstream MUD opposition alliance boycotted the vote, leaving only one possible outcome.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Parra
Maduro wins ...
Maduro was re-elected to a second six-year term with about 68 percent of the vote. Turnout was only 46 percent, according to electoral authorities. However, the MUD opposition alliance put turnout at less than 30 percent. The Organization of American States (OAS) called the elections neither free nor fair.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
... Guaido assumes power
But weeks into the new year, the situation took a drastic turn. On January 23, 2019, parliament president Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela — a move that was quickly recognized by US President Donald Trump. Maduro called it a US-backed "coup." Days later, the US sanctioned Venezuela's state oil firm, while Guaido staked his claim on the country's foreign assets.
Image: Imago/Agencia EFE
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Government calls for end to 'economic aggressions'
Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez, who is leading the government delegation, said the government side will listen to what the opposition has to say.
"But we will forcefully demand an immediate stop to the economic aggressions against Venezuela," he told reporters.
"We demand that the economic guarantees be fulfilled in Venezuela," he said, referring to the government's insistence for opposition leaders to call on the US to drop sanctions placed on the country.
In a televised broadcast on Friday, President Maduro claimed he had finally managed to bring his political adversaries to the negotiating table and start a "national dialogue for peace, for the prosperity of Venezuela." He stressed their deep differences, but thanked them for their "spirit of cooperation."
Economic crisis
Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela has seen hyper-inflation, basic food shortages and is on the verge of debt repayment default.
The economy has been hit by a fall in crude prices and sanctions, the government says, while the opposition points to corruption and mismanagement.
The opposition blames Maduro for bringing the economy to its knees, while Maduro blames US and EU sanctions.
Tensions in Venezuela escalated in March when the pro-government Supreme Court stripped the opposition-controlled congress of its remaining powers, leading to protests to oust Maduro's government. Some 120 people died in the ensuing street protests nationwide.
The political impasse and economic crisis have prompted fears of a refugee crisis in neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said late Friday that Diego Salazar, a relative of former oil czar Rafael Ramirez, had been detained as part of an investigation into a corruption scandal involving Andorra.
Maduro is overseeing what his administration calls a "crusade" against corruption. Some 65 oil executives have been detained.
The Salazar case appears to relate to what the US in 2015 said were some $2 billion (€1.7 billion euros) in laundered funds from Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela at the private bank Banca Privada D'Andorra.
