Venezuela Opposition Will Meet Government for Peace Talks

Venezuela’s government and opposition said they had agreed to formal talks involving a third party mediator to address concern that sparked two months of protests that have left at least 39 people dead. The foreign ministers of Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil and the Vatican’s representative in Venezuela will participate in the talks, Vice President Jorge Arreaza said on state television today after a preliminary meeting. The formal meeting may take place tomorrow or April 10, Arreaza said. The opposition coalition will meet to discuss dates for the peace talks, Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, secretary general of the Democratic Unity Round-table opposition alliance known as MUD, said on state television. Respect for the rights of student protesters would be a central part of the opposition’s agenda, he said. More…