The meeting between representatives of the Maduro government and the opposition will take place at 3pm in Barbados.
The Venezuelan government and the opposition are expected to announce this afternoon an agreement on elections in the country next year. The meeting between representatives of the Maduro government and the opposition in Venezuela will take place at 3pm in Barbados and will be mediated by Norway.
According to Planalto aides, the Venezuelan government and opposition will announce that next year’s elections will have international observers (including the European Union), a free press and total freedom – no candidate will be prevented from running. In return, the Americans should lift the last remaining sanctions on Venezuelan oil.
Brazil, through former minister Celso Amorim, played a central role in the negotiations. Amorim is in Barbados to accompany the announcement.
“We see it as a very important step to establish a roadmap between now and the elections. This should involve guaranteeing international observers during the electoral process, freedom of the press, among other measures,” Amorim told the blog.
Lula’s international affairs advisor highlighted the issue of sanctions. “And, on the other hand – this shouldn’t be in today’s agreement, but it has been dealt with by the United States – the lifting of sanctions is also fundamental for social peace in Venezuela and for the whole region. We therefore see this whole process, which we are following – and to which President Lula’s attitudes have certainly contributed in a very positive way”
The announcement was the subject of yesterday’s conversation between Lula and Maduro. According to Planalto sources, both Maduro and the opposition are “hopeful” about the process. Amorim was in Caracas at the beginning of the year, and also discussed this in meetings in Bogotá and bilaterally with Americans and Norwegians.