UNITED NATIONS, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer to help broker an end to the crisis in Venezuela during talks with the country’s foreign minister.
Guterres met with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in New York, at the request of Caracas, as the standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido hardened.
The United Nations has called for serious political negotiations between the two sides to prevent a slide toward more violence in the South American country.
“The secretary-general reaffirmed that his offer of good offices to both parties remains available for serious negotiation to help the country out of the present standoff for the benefit of the people of Venezuela,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Guaido declared himself interim president last month and has since been recognized by some 50 countries, including the United States.
Russia and China, however, continue to back Maduro as do some African countries, creating a global split that has left the UN in a quandary.
Last week, the UN chief said he would not join in any initiative promoted by groups of nations to ensure the credibility of his offer of “good offices.”
Guterres has insisted that both sides must request his mediation before he can step into the fray.
UN diplomats said the Maduro government was ready to hold talks but it remained unclear if Guaido would accept a UN role.
Venezuela is in the midst of a disastrous economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, recession and dire shortages of food and medicines.
The opposition blames Maduro for the meltdown, accusing him of corruption and of rigging elections to stay in power.
The political and economic crises have driven 2.3 million Venezuelans from their homes, according to UN estimates.
The United States has presented to the Security Council a draft resolution that would call for presidential elections, triggering a counter-proposal from Russia that criticizes attempts to intervene in Venezuela.
No vote is scheduled for those proposed resolutions. — NNN-AGENCIES