Maduro receives Zapatero in Caracas to discuss the start of talks with the opposition

MADRID, 20 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro received former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in Caracas this Thursday to discuss the Venezuelan support given to the dialogue between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the start of the dialogues with the opposition.

During the meeting, Maduro reiterated his willingness to continue talks between the Venezuelan government and the political opposition, all with the aim of having "a frank and open dialogue as the only way to guarantee national peace."

Zapatero, on the other hand, has expressed his wish that the talks between the Venezuelan government and the Unitary Platform of the opposition yield "positive results", emphasizing that "democracy is a continuous dialogue."

Meanwhile, he has expressed his support for the participation of Venezuela in the talks between the Colombian Executive and the ELN, stressing that "getting the guerrilla group to renounce violence is a great objective that will benefit citizens of both Colombia and Venezuela, especially on the common border, as it will cause other violence to be reduced or to disappear," according to the Venezuelan Presidency in a statement.

Likewise, the former Spanish president has indicated that economic and social relations will stabilize in both regions, as a result of these days of dialogue between the two belligerent parties.

The meeting between Maduro and Zapatero takes place after the Executive and the opposition have begun dialogues to advance in the construction of future electoral scenarios.

Earlier, the opposition National Assembly of Venezuela dissolved the "interim" government of Juan Guaidó in order to hold talks with the Maduro government.