Venezuela, opposition head for talks in Mexico

Venezuelan political opposition and government representatives will resume talks this weekend in Mexico, a step the US has called necessary before it would consider easing sanctions that limit companies such as Chevron in operating in the country.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido confirmed today that the main party fighting for new elections — Plataforma Unitaria — will join the talks, several days after the government of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro agreed to participate. Talks stalled last year in Mexico City, but the Venezuela government withdrew when the US extradited a high-profile Maduro adviser, Alex Saab.

The opposition will participate "to secure agreements" that result in "the wellbeing of all Venezuelans", including free and fair elections, respect for human rights and solutions to the country's humanitarian crisis. There was no specific mention of oil, energy or new licences from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control for Venezuela's oil companies or international firms doing business there.

The US made clear during a high-level delegation meeting in March in Caracas that dialogue with the opposition is key for easing any US sanctions on Venezuela. Sanctions have limited its oil and natural gas production and exports since 2019 over accusations of rigged elections and human right abuses.

Guaido has in the past resisted dialogue entreaties from Maduro, but this time around Mexico, and in particular neighbouring Colombia, are playing more prominent roles as facilitators.

State-owned oil company PdV has recently increased its production, buoyed by shipments of condensate from Iran used to transport Venezuela's heavy crude. US firm Chevron, Italy's Eni and Spain's Repsol are the main international companies that still have some limited operations or dealings with Venezuela, but US sanctions limit their activities.

By Carlos Camacho