Delegations meeting on behalf of Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó from May 27 to 29 in Oslo, Norway, to discuss possible solutions to the crisis in Venezuela left empty-handed. The meeting was organized after the European country offered to mediate. Guaidó’s delegation issued a statement saying that, while no agreements were reached, they are willing to continue with talks, while Maduro’s representatives also reaffirmed a willingness to negotiate with the opposition “for the peace of the country.” New meetings could take place in the coming weeks.

The statement made by the opposition delegation reaffirms Guaidó’s goal of ousting Maduro, halting what they see as the Executive branch’s wrongful grip on power, establishing a transitional government and calling for new elections subject to international observation. The delegation also expressed gratitude to Norway for its willingness to contribute to the peace process. Its members included the second vice-president of the National Assembly, Stalin Gonzalez, former mayor Gerardo Blyde and the former Minister of Transport and Communications Fernando Martinez Mottola. On what grounds can Juan Guaidó lay claim to the Presidency?

According to Maduro, the delegations met “to work on a comprehensive agenda…already agreed [with Guaidó] and to make progress on achieving high-quality agreements.” The Norwegian government confirmed that the parties were willing to discuss political, economic and electoral issues. The representatives of the ruling party included the Minister of Communication, Jorge Rodríguez, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza, and the governor of Miranda state, Héctor Rodríguez.

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Parallel talks in Oslo, Norway, between the government and opposition