Venezuela’s Maduro Accepts Proposal to Restart Direct U.S. Talks

“After thinking about it, I have accepted and next Wednesday the talks will restart with the United States government to comply with the agreements signed in Qatar and to reestablish the terms of the dialogue with respect,” Maduro said in a televised broadcast.

In late 2023, Washington and Caracas secured a prisoner exchange deal following months of negotiations mediated by Qatar.29dk2902l

Venezuelan official negotiator and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez will travel for the talks, Maduro said, without detailing the specific topics to be discussed.

The talks started some two years ago, but after U.S. oil sanctions were reimposed last April, Maduro’s government accused the United States of violating the Qatar accord.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Editing by Brendan O’Boyle)