Venezuela gov't, opposition pledge to address people's needs

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Representatives of Venezuela’s government and opposition agreed Monday to find ways to deal with the pressing needs of Venezuelans especially in combatting the coronavirus pandemic. In a joint statement issued at the close of their first round of negotiations in Mexico s capital, the parties said they decided to “establish mechanisms for the restoration and achievement of resources to meet the social needs of the population with special emphasis on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The statement offered no specifics on what might be done. Last month’s release from prison of opposition leader Freddy Guevara, as well as the opposition coalition’s announcement this week that it would participate in upcoming regional elections, were seen by both sides as the first results of the process, which is expected to last at least six months.