Venezuelan government, opposition leaders meet in Mexico

The government of Venezuela and its opposition have met for the first time in two years to look for a change in the South American nation's prolonged political standoff

MEXICO CITY -- Representatives of President Nicolás Maduro and the Venezuelan opposition on Friday showed eagerness to find a common path out of their country’s political standoff, meeting in neutral territory for formal dialogue for the first time in more than two years and agreeing on an agenda for future discussions that includes social and electoral matters. Allies of Maduro and the opposition, which is led by Juan Guaidó, met in Mexico City and signed a memorandum of understanding for talks facilitated by the Norwegian government. The dialogue process is expected to begin in earnest in September. “That is our integral objective, (to) achieve a comprehensive agreement that benefits everyone, that when we achieve it, no one feels defeated and we all feel included,” Gerardo Blyde, head of the opposition’s delegation, said after signing the document. “An inclusive agreement for all, even for those who today, perhaps with just reasons, may be skeptical about what is being started.” The memorandum’s agenda contemplates a schedule for elections that would include observers, renouncing violence, reparations for victims of violence, social and economic measures and the lifting of sanctions.