Venezuela says talks between government, 'democratic' opposition underway in Norway

Talks are underway in Norway between Venezuela's government and "democratic" opponents, an envoy said on Thursday, in a possible search for a mediated solution following a failed uprising attempt against President Nicolas Maduro.

"Yes, there are talks between the Bolivarian government and the democratic sectors of the opposition," Venezuela's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Jorge Valero, told reporters, denouncing U.S. interference.

U.S. President Donald Trump has tightened sanctions against Maduro's government and spearheaded international recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido who in January invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency.

"The Venezuelan government is a dialogue-loving government," Valero added. "Unfortunately, there's also an opposition that is warmongering, terrorist and fascist ... simply puppets of the U.S. empire."

Guaido confirmed efforts in Norway to mediate between the opposition and Maduro's government on Thursday in remarks, but said the opposition won't enter into any "false negotiation."

The Venezuelan opposition has said Maduro used past negotiations to play for time and was not sincere about making concessions. Maduro says he is open to dialogue and the opposition had been trying to seize power by force.

Guaido said any diplomatic process aimed at resolving the Venezuelan crisis must lead to the end of Maduro's government, its replacement by a transitional administration, and free and fair elections

Guaido, who calls Maduro's 2018 re-election fraudulent, called for Venezuela's military to rise up on April 30, but his push quickly petered out and the military's top brass has since then sworn allegiance to Maduro.

UN secretary-general 'very much' supports talks

The United Nations said Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "very much supportive" of the talks in Norway between Venezuela's government and opposition on ways of ending the South American country's crisis.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric was asked Thursday at UN headquarters in New York about possible UN participation in the process.

He responded that he didn't "want to predict what can happen in what we know is a complicated situation, but what is clear is that the secretary general's good offices, the United Nations' good offices, remain very much available."

It comes amid reports that the International Contact Group and the Lima Group, which both support opposition leader Juan Guaido, may meet.

Dujarric said the UN is "very supportive" of such initiatives.

Norway's Foreign Ministry said its norm was not to comment on possible roles in ongoing or potential peace talks.

"Norway follows the situation in Venezuela with great concern. We strongly encourage the parties to find a political and peaceful solution in order to avoid further escalation," a ministry spokeswoman said.

Separately, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Havana. Freeland's office said the purpose of the visit is "to discuss the deteriorating situation" in Venezuela, an ally of Cuba, as well as U.S. sanctions on Cuba.

Valero gave no more specific details about the Norway talks.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Miranda state governor Hector Rodriguez of the ruling Socialist Party both travelled to Oslo, according to opposition sources.

Opposition legislator Stalin Gonzalez, along with political advisers Gerardo Blyde and Fernando Martinez, have also gone, they said. Norway has a tradition of conflict mediation, including assistance with Colombia's 2016 peace deal between the government and FARC rebels.