CARACAS (AP) — The Venezuelan government plans to resume negotiations with the United States government this week, announced President Nicolás Maduro on Monday, less than a month before elections in which he and his party face their greatest challenge in decades.
Maduro, who is going for a third term, wants the United States government to lift the economic sanctions it imposed last decade with the purpose of overthrowing him. Maduro described the dialogue as "urgent" during his weekly television program.
The Biden administration has not responded to a request for comments from The Associated Press at this time.
"I have received the proposal from the United States government for two consecutive months to restore direct talks and dialogue," stated the Venezuelan president. "After thinking about it for two months, I have accepted, and next Wednesday the conversations with the United States government will resume so that they comply with the agreements signed in Qatar and to reestablish the terms of the urgent dialogue."
Key elections for the political future of Venezuela
The elections on July 28 are shaping up as the biggest challenge the United Socialist Party of Venezuela has faced in its 25 years of dominance, which began with the presidency of Hugo Chávez. The party aims to control all branches of the State for another six years, but its bases are divided, weakened, and disappointed.
Ten candidates will participate in the elections, including Maduro. The only candidate with real possibilities of defeating the president is Edmundo González Urrutia, who represents the opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria.
Last year, Maduro reached an agreement with the opposition coalition to improve the conditions for holding free and fair elections. But then he changed course, when the meteoric rise of opposition leader María Corina Machado became a real threat to his chances of reelection.
The United States granted Maduro some relief from sanctions after the agreement was signed, but withdrew it when his party continued to use its control over all government institutions to tilt the balance, even blocking Machado's candidacy.
The candidate chosen by Machado was also prevented from running. She and the opposition coalition now support González, a former diplomat.