Maduro boasts start of Venezuela summit despite 'gringo pressure'

Critics are outraged that Maduro is hosting the summit as families in the recession-hit country skip meals due to severe food shortages and raging inflation. "We ask your governments to express solidarity with the Venezuelan people in these times of uncertainty and calamity," opposition leader Henrique Capriles said in an open letter to summit participants, urging them to speak out against Maduro. The opposition said on Tuesday it had held two private meetings with government representatives in recent days to push for a recall referendum, without providing details. Previous talks have failed to make significant progress. The opposition has decried a crackdown in the run-up to the summit, citing summons by the intelligence service, a raid on a Margarita mayor's home and a ban on opposition legislators flying in to the island.” More…