Versión Español
EspañolThe Venezuelan opposition announced it is working on resuming dialogue with President Nicolás Maduro’s administration with intervention from The Union of South American Nations (USAN), which will serve as a mediator.
A statement released by officials said the national government and the Democratic Unity Roundtable are working toward a second phase of dialogue following the suspension of talks in 2016.
The opposition said it didn’t think Maduro’s administration was upholding its end of the agreements during the talks regarding establishing a timetable for elections and releasing political prisoners. But now, a meeting will be held every 15 days between all parties involved and a USAN representative, who will ensure all agreements are followed.
The document lays out important points of discussion:
1) Recognizing that both the executive and the legislative powers have been elected in a constitutional, democratic and legitimate manner.
2) Adopting a mechanism for implementing the Democratic Coexistence Agreement through the formation of a Joint Plenary with the participation of four representatives from the national government and four representatives from the Bureau of Democratic Unity, as well as the representative of the Holy Headquarters, the General Secretariat of USAN, the Director of Political Affairs and Defense and Leonel Fernández, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Martín Torrijos.
3) Agreeing to concrete measures that improve the quality of life of Venezuelans.
4) Promoting measures against inflation.
5) Strengthening electoral institutions and agreeing on an electoral timetable within the framework of the country’s constitution.
The document also addressed issues within the National Assembly, saying that it would be excused from finding a solution to problems in the State of Amazonas, and that the CNE would be in charge of setting up new elections.
It also lays out discussions about political prisoners:
1) Agreeing on a basic list of political prisoners that need to be freed, which will be done with an ad hoc prosecutor, a representative of the national government and another MUD representative.
2) Adopting, where appropriate, an amnesty law agreed upon by all parties.
On the shortage of food and medicines:
1) Implementing concrete measures for the supply of medicines and food, among the recommendations being the “urgent negotiation of a Cooperation Agreement with Caritas Internacionalis.”
Elections
1) Urging the Supreme Court to proceed, as appropriate, on a new appointment of two officials in the National Electoral Council.
2) Deciding on possible dates for the 2017 election of governors and mayors.
3) Addressing the electoral timetable for 2018.
Source: La Patilla
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