No talks yet between Maduro, Guaido despite mediation efforts

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Representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido are in Norway, but there appears to be no direct talks between them yet.

An envoy of Maduro's government confirmed on Thursday that talks are underway in Norway between Venezuela's government and "democratic" opponents, in a possible search for a mediated solution after the opposition's failure to spark a military uprising against Maduro.

"Yes, there are talks between the Bolivarian government and the democratic sectors of the opposition," Venezuela's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Jorge Valero, told reporters, denouncing U.S. interference.

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are seen at the window of the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, U.S., May 13, 2019. /Reuters Photo

U.S. President Donald Trump has tightened sanctions against Maduro's government and spearheaded international recognition of Guaido who in January proclaimed himself "interim president" of Venezuela.

Guaido, who denounces Maduro's 2018 re-election as fraudulent, called for Venezuela's military to rise up on April 30, but his push quickly petered out and the military's top brass has since then sworn allegiance to Maduro.

Guaido said Thursday he sent delegates to Norway to join the attempt by Oslo to mediate in the Venezuela crisis, but denied talks were underway with Maduro's government.

"There are some envoys in Norway," Guaido told a rally of his supporters in Caracas.

The Scandinavian country was trying to bring both sides together, but talks have not taken place, he said.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido (L1) greets a man after attending a meeting with technicians and experts in Caracas, Venezuela, May 16, 2019. /Reuters Photo

"There is no negotiation whatsoever," Guaido made clear in comments to reporters. Instead, Norwegian officials were "trying to mediate" with both sides to bring them to the table.

"We can neither confirm nor deny Norway's involvement in peace processes or dialogue initiatives," Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde told AFP.

When asked about the talks in Norway, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York: "We're very much aware of what is going on and very much supportive of this process."

Cuba, Canada discuss Venezuela crisis

Norway is not the only country trying to mediate in the Venezuela crisis.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland talked about the issue on Thursday during the latter's half-day trip to Havana, after the island country recently said it was willing to help mediate.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (L2) speaks with Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland in Havana, Cuba, May 16, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reached out to Venezuela's longtime ally Cuba two weeks ago on behalf of the Lima Group, a bloc of mostly Latin American countries seeking a peaceful resolution to the Venezuelan standoff.

A top Cuban diplomat said subsequently in an interview with Bloomberg that Havana was willing to help, but that Maduro would have to be at the table.

"Cuba ratifies its willingness to contribute to initiatives that promote respectful dialogue with the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Rodriguez said in a tweet on Thursday after meeting with Freeland.

The two ministers will continue discussions, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)

(Cover: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro takes part in a ceremony at a Navy base in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, May 14, 2019. /Reuters Photo)