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LatinNews Daily - 07 November 2016
Joining forces with Mexico to combat people trafficking
Venezuela: On 1 November, the US Department of State called for all political prisoners in Venezuela to be released immediately. The call came after it was confirmed that five imprisoned opposition figures had been released by the government led by President Nicolás Maduro on 30 October at the start of a new Vatican-sponsored dialogue between the opposition and the government aimed at solving Venezuela’s deep political crisis. Jesús ‘Chúo’ Torrealba, the executive secretary of Venezuela’s main opposition coalition, Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD), stated on the same day that though it was a start, the MUD would not be satisfied until every political prisoner had been released. Furthermore, Torrealba affirmed that the Maduro government must agree on a new electoral timetable. Torrealba’s remarks came after he announced that MUD leaders had met with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon in the capital, Caracas. Shannon was sent to Caracas as part of efforts to encourage the new dialogue. Torrealba confirmed that during the meeting with Shannon, the main topic of discussion had been the current crisis in Venezuela, and that Shannon had reiterated US support both for papal intervention and the continuation of negotiations between the government and opposition. Shannon travelled to Venezuela on 31 October and met with President Maduro the same day. Maduro described the meeting with Shannon as “very positive”. It was later announced that Shannon is to act as a mediator between the Maduro government and the opposition. Four separate areas of discussion have been outlined for the talks: peace and political stability; human rights and compensation for victims of violence; the electoral schedule; and the economy. The second meeting will be held on 11 November.
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