Caracas: Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido said Tuesday there were no plans to re-open talks with the ‘murderous dictatorship’ of President Nicolas Maduro, following the death of an officer in custody over an alleged coup plot.
“For democrats, there is never a time to negotiate with hostage-takers, human rights abusers, or with a dictatorship,” Guaido told reporters.
“We are facing a deadly dictatorship,” Guado added.
According to Gaudo, he will only officially communicate when fresh talks aimed at facilitating the termination of the usurpation of Maduro are announced.
Guaido, who has been recognised by more than 50 countries as interim President, was speaking as lawmakers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly met to discuss the suspicious death of retired naval officer Rafael Acosta Arevalo.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said later that the government was waiting for the opposition to resume meetings in Norway.
Representatives of Guaido and Maduro met face-to-face in Oslo early last month as part of talks mediated by Norway aimed at resolving the country’s political deadlock.
Captain Rafael Acosta’s death in the Venezuela’s capital Sunday sparked international condemnation. Acosta was one of several people being held over alleged involvement in what the government described as a failed coup to overthrow Maduro.
UN Rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Monday she was ‘shocked’ by the death, adding weight to claims by the United States and the opposition that he may have been tortured.
AFP