While Norway’s capital is hosting the talks on the future of Venezuela, the White House’s focus is on Nicolas Maduro. As The Local Norway reported, the United States insisted the only item for discussion should be the removal of the legitimate President.
Oslo conversations include the simple but complicated agenda, both Venezuelan government and opposition’s representatives are trying to find the common language to end the ongoing crisis. The deepening crisis in the Latin American country needs the mediation, and Norway offered its good services and welcomed the start of the talks in Oslo.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian foreign ministry declined to comment any news on the talks between Venezuelan sides. While the opposition led by the US-backed Juan Guaido agreed to come to the table under Norwegian auspices, Washington remains focused on only Maduro’s stepping-down.
In a televised address on Monday, Nicolas maduro said that his government is going to be showing “very best good faith to be able to find”. According to President, only a peaceful, democratic solution is able to help overcome Venezuela’s poitical conflict and socio-economic crisis.
Norwegian diplomats had said that the two sides would meet this week in Norway in their first face-to-face meeting since Guaido claimed power in January, without specifying a date or venue.
The US have no intention to speak to President Maduro
The White House has refused to speak to Maduro on anything but logistical matters, calling his leadership illegitimate. While not rejecting the talks in Oslo, the US stood firm in its stance.
“We note the talks in Norway. As we have repeatedly stated, the United States believes the only thing to negotiate with Nicolas Maduro is the conditions of his departure,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told reporters in Washington.
President Donald Trump, who has cast Venezuela as part of a broader struggle against socialism, has tried to topple Maduro by imposing an escalating raft of economic sanctions that have included cutting off revenue for Venezuela’s state-owned oil company.
President Maduro, however, still relies on the support of the long-time allies like Russia, China and Cuba, as well as the powerful military.
