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Expectations have been low for the talks being held in the
Dominican Republic. Some critics have described them as a
stalling tactic by the ruling Socialist Party which is
struggling to control a worsening economic crisis.
"We will meet again on January 11 for a meeting with the
Venezuelan opposition," said Information Minister Jorge
Rodriguez, leader of the government delegation, in a brief
statement released by state television.
Opposition leaders are demanding that President Nicolas Maduro
accept humanitarian assistance from abroad to ease the crisis,
which has left millions of people unable to eat properly due to
triple-digit inflation and chronic product shortages.
They also want the release of several hundred jailed opposition
activists.
Government leaders want the opposition to help seek the
elimination of sanctions by Washington, which have been levied
this year by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump
on accusations that Maduro is undermining democracy.
An initial round of talks two weeks ago in the Dominican
Republic also ended without a agreement.
"We want an agreement that can be fulfilled," said opposition
legislator Luis Florido. "Because we have not concluded
discussion of all the issues, we need another meeting so that
there can be a permanent agreement."
(Reporting by Deisy Buitrago, writing by Brian Ellsworth;
editing by Clive McKeef)
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