Venezuela parties engage in diplomacy

Venezuela’s opposition is engaging in a blitz of diplomacy in the aftermath of last month’s abortive uprising, including talks with the government of President Nicolas Maduro. But the opposition’s most important international backer — the United States — is skeptical of Maduro’s good faith, or that the talks will lead to his removal from office.

The opposition, led by Juan Guaido, sent emissaries to Oslo last week for talks brokered by the Norwegian government with two senior Maduro loyalists, including Jorge Rodriguez, the government’s communications minister.

Four people familiar with the talks said the sides did not meet directly — they exchanged points of view and proposals through diplomatic intermediaries.

A senior Trump administration official described the government’s proposals at the meeting as vague and lacking in key details, particularly on the opposition’s demand that Maduro step down, and on the makeup of any transitional government.

The Norwegians approached the Americans “a couple of weeks ago” to broach talks, the official said. The administration remains deeply skeptical that Maduro would be willing to leave power, and have told the Norwegians they need to press for demonstrations of good faith, including the release of political prisoners.

“Is it an exercise to buy time? To distract? Or are they serious?” the official asked. He said the Oslo talks were “inherently flawed” in part because they did not include good-faith gestures by Maduro’s government.

Talks between the government and the opposition could continue in the days and weeks ahead.