Venezuela conditions the dialogue with the opposition to the release of agreed funds

MADRID, 18 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The government delegation in the negotiations with the Venezuelan opposition has conditioned this Tuesday the continuation of the dialogue table to the agreement to release blocked funds, in compliance with what was agreed between both parties at the end of the year.

The head of the delegation, Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, has indicated that, if the return of the blocked 3.2 billion dollars is not fulfilled, the dialogue will not continue.

Rodríguez has assured that "there is no reason to continue dialogue with people who do not speak", demanding that the opposition comply with its commitments.

"There is nothing more despicable than signing a paper knowing that they were not going to fulfill their commitments," he criticized while asking to avoid threats and sanctions.

During the last meeting between the government delegation and the opposition at the end of 2022, both parties agreed to release that amount of funds, currently frozen in international accounts due to United States sanctions, with the aim that they be managed by the United Nations. to finance social projects.

The top diplomatic officials from the European Union, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom congratulated the parties after signing the agreement, despite the fact that they reiterated a sustained effort that culminated in the holding of "free and fair" elections in 2024, the restoration of democratic institutions and the end of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela".

Finally, the signatories reiterated their willingness "to review the sanctions policies" if the Venezuelan government achieved significant progress in the talks to alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people and bring them closer to the restoration of democracy.