The Venezuelan government and the opposition will meet again from September 24 to 27 in Mexico City, announced Monday evening the representative of the power to the joint negotiations which have just been concluded in Mexico.
Read also Venezuela: resumption of talks between the government of Nicolás Maduro and the opposition
"
Meet on Friday 24, Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 here in Mexico City to address the other established points
," said Jorge Rodríguez, head of the Venezuelan parliament and man of confidence of President Nicolás Maduro, closing a four-day round of negotiations under the auspices of Norway.
"Begin democratic reinstitutionalization"
"
We have agreed that the first of the two items on the agenda for the next round of negotiations will be the judicial system in Venezuela, a deep and complex issue, but on which we must begin the democratic reinstitutionalization of the country,
" said his side said the head of the opposition delegation, Gerardo Blyde.
Read also In Venezuela, the opposition falls into line
According to a joint statement issued by the Norwegian delegation, a first agreement was concluded between the parties in order to "
establish mechanisms for restoring and guaranteeing resources that meet the needs of the population, with particular emphasis on the effects of the pandemic. of Covid-19, including those from multilateral organizations to which the Republic is entitled
”.
A second agreement concerns recognition of “
Venezuela's sovereignty over Guyana Essequibo
”, the western part of Guyana located between the recognized border between the two countries and the Essequibo river.
Essequibo is an area of 159,500 square kilometers rich in natural resources claimed by Venezuela since 1897.
“
It is a very good omen that our first day of formal discussion led us to the signing of two agreements of such importance (...) Even if it was hard, even if we had a confrontation of ideas , as happens in any democracy, and although it was a firm expression of what each of us thought, we were able to do it in a climate of empathy, even in a climate of cordiality, and we were also able to work together,
”continued Jorge Rodriguez.
A process that "will be long and difficult"
Gerardo Blyde admitted that "
this process
" of negotiations "is
going to be long and difficult
".
He confirmed that two agreements have been concluded: "
a first agreement which is very important on the social protection of the Venezuelan people, which sets up a national platform for social assistance which will work on everything related to support and the search for solutions , resources and efforts in the areas of health and food, and obviously in the area of vaccination against Covid
”.
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"
The Essequibo belongs to the Venezuelans, the Essequibo is ours, there can be no difference when it comes to the defense of our territory and our sovereignty,
" he added.
No indication was given on the substance, in other words the fact that Caracas seeks to obtain the lifting of the economic sanctions imposed by Washington, while the opposition wants the holding of free and transparent elections.
Maduro warned on Sunday that these negotiations would not lead to "
impunity
", which is interpreted as a warning to the opponent Juan Guaidó, former head of parliament who proclaimed himself president in 2019 and faces multiple charges in Venezuela.
The US State Department welcomed the opening of the dialogue on Friday and expressed hope for a "
peaceful restoration of democracy
" in Venezuela. The dialogue is being held ahead of the November governors and mayors elections, in which the main opposition political parties will participate, breaking a three-year electoral boycott.