Maduro backs Venezuela dialogue before Caracas talks

Venezuela's imprisoned former leader Nicolas Maduro welcomed “any path to dialogue” on Sunday, August 2, before expected in-person talks in Caracas between representatives of the country's interim government and opposition leaders.

“We welcome any path to dialogue that helps consolidate peace, coexistence, and reconciliation among Venezuelans,” said a message posted on Maduro's official Telegram account. He also said a “national renaissance” should be based on respect, diversity and inclusion.

Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores were captured in a US military raid in January and are being held in a New York detention center while awaiting trial on charges related to drug and firearms trafficking. They have pleaded not guilty.

It was not immediately clear how Maduro posted the message while in detention, but he is in regular contact with his lawyers as he awaits trial in US federal court.

Maduro's comments came after Venezuela's interim government and opposition announced Saturday that political transition talks were expected to begin in person in the coming week in Caracas. National Assembly head Jorge Rodriguez, the chief government negotiator and brother of interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, said the timing was agreed after a phone call with opposition figure Dinorah Figuera.

The talks are set to take place without the main opposition leader, Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado, who has said she will not obstruct the process.

Jorge Rodriguez said the agenda would include post-earthquake assistance, the “reinforcement of democracy” and political rights. June earthquakes killed more than 5,500 people in Venezuela, adding to the country's political and economic instability.