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Venezuela political foes to hold talks as crisis deepens Venezuela political foes to hold talks in surprise move
(about 1 hour later)
Venezuela's government will hold talks with its bitter political opponents on Sunday as a political and economic crisis in the country worsens.Venezuela's government will hold talks with its bitter political opponents on Sunday as a political and economic crisis in the country worsens.
Protests have been held in recent days over the suspension of a referendum campaign seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro and tensions are high. Protests have been held in recent days over the suspension of a referendum process seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro.
The announcement of the dialogue by a Vatican envoy came after Mr Maduro met Pope Francis in an unannounced visit. The surprise move came after Mr Maduro met Pope Francis in an unannounced visit.
The Vatican and regional bloc Unasur will mediate in the talks.The Vatican and regional bloc Unasur will mediate in the talks.
Pope Francis "urged [the parties] to show courage in pursuing the path of sincere and constructive dialogue", the Vatican said in a statement.Pope Francis "urged [the parties] to show courage in pursuing the path of sincere and constructive dialogue", the Vatican said in a statement.
Emil Paul Tscherrig, its envoy to Argentina, said "a national dialogue" had already started between the sides to lay the ground for Sunday's planned meeting on Margarita island in the Caribbean.Emil Paul Tscherrig, its envoy to Argentina, said "a national dialogue" had already started between the sides to lay the ground for Sunday's planned meeting on Margarita island in the Caribbean.
The government and opposition have confirmed the upcoming talks, Reuters news agency reports.The government and opposition have confirmed the upcoming talks, Reuters news agency reports.
Mr Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is blamed by the opposition for Venezuela's dire economic situation. The oil-rich country is facing widespread food shortages and spiralling inflation.Mr Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is blamed by the opposition for Venezuela's dire economic situation. The oil-rich country is facing widespread food shortages and spiralling inflation.
The opposition is trying to hold a recall referendum that would allow Mr Maduro to be removed from office but electoral authorities suspended the process last week.The opposition is trying to hold a recall referendum that would allow Mr Maduro to be removed from office but electoral authorities suspended the process last week.
The official reason was allegations of fraud during the gathering of signatures for the first petition required to enable the referendum, but opposition lawmakers have long accused the National Electoral Council of being under the government's control.The official reason was allegations of fraud during the gathering of signatures for the first petition required to enable the referendum, but opposition lawmakers have long accused the National Electoral Council of being under the government's control.
In an emergency session of the National Assembly on Sunday, they approved a resolution accusing Mr Maduro's Socialist government of engaging in "an ongoing coup d'etat".In an emergency session of the National Assembly on Sunday, they approved a resolution accusing Mr Maduro's Socialist government of engaging in "an ongoing coup d'etat".
The Organization of American States also said it was "profoundly worried" by the electoral authorities' decision.The Organization of American States also said it was "profoundly worried" by the electoral authorities' decision.
Hundreds of students protested on Monday in San Cristobal, a city near the Colombian border. Nationwide protests are planned for Wednesday.Hundreds of students protested on Monday in San Cristobal, a city near the Colombian border. Nationwide protests are planned for Wednesday.
Mr Maduro has accused the opposition of having links to foreign states, the US in particular, and of seeking to overthrow him to "lay their hands on Venezuela's oil riches".Mr Maduro has accused the opposition of having links to foreign states, the US in particular, and of seeking to overthrow him to "lay their hands on Venezuela's oil riches".