International News

CARACAS, Oct 31 (APP/AFP): Crisis talks opened late Sunday between Venezuela’s embattled socialist government and opposition leaders in a landmark gathering aimed at defusing an increasingly tense political crisis. Among those on hand for the Vatican-backed talks held on the outskirts of Caracas were President Nicolas Maduro and members of the opposition, including Jesus Torrealba, the leader of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) umbrella group. Vatican envoys were also present for the meeting, which is the first open dialogue between the sides in nearly a year. “I hereby stress my total commitment to this dialogue process. I am reaching out, extending my hand to talk with the MUD,” Maduro said.