Venezuela's opposition on Monday ruled out returning to Vatican-led talks with President Nicolas Maduro's government unless it makes major concessions amid a crushing economic crisis and bitter political standoff.
The opposition Democratic Unity coalition blames Maduro for the OPEC nation's shrinking and dysfunctional economy and wants to bring forward the next presidential vote, due in late 2018.
However Maduro, 54, the self-declared "son" of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, accuses the opposition of seeking a coup and sabotaging the economy to undermine him.
A Papal envoy, South American bloc Unasur and former heads of government from Spain, Panama and the Dominican Republic brought the feuding sides together at the end of October.
But the opposition walked out earlier this month, saying officials were reneging on accords to allow humanitarian aid, reform the national election board, free jailed activists and restore the National Assembly's powers.
"If these demands ... have not been satisfied by Jan. 13, obviously there will be no conditions to re-establish dialogue," said coalition head Jesus Torrealba, referring to the next potential date for talks mooted by mediators.
"They are mocking the Venezuelan people and the international community," he told reporters.
Maduro, whose popularity has hit its lowest level of under 20 percent, according to pollster Datanalisis, said his team would be ready for Jan. 13 talks come what may.
"I want to affirm to Pope Francis ... my commitment to dialogue, peace and the word of God," he told a radio show. "If not talking means Torrealba is going to take up arms and call for an intervention in Venezuela, he will never achieve it."
Opposition leaders say the coalition needs a re-launch in the New Year after the dialogue stalled momentum from large street protests and a symbolic trial of Maduro in the Assembly.
The president has threatened that the opposition-led legislature may not exist much longer. The government-leaning Supreme Court has ruled it is in "contempt" of the law.
Hardline opposition leaders are pushing for a civil disobedience campaign, but moderates believe that could lead to more violence and play into the government's hands by allowing Maduro to depict them as irresponsible troublemakers.
Opposition protests in 2014 led to 43 deaths and marches this year have resulted in clashes with security forces.
Venezuela's 30 million people have had an austere Christmas, with many unable to afford traditional meals, presents and holidays at the beach.
Inflation in Venezuela is the world's highest and many products are scarce.
Reuters
Tue Dec 27 2016
![Venezuela leader's foes say no more talks without concessions Venezuela leader's foes say no more talks without concessions](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/41482823710_NicolasMaduro.jpg)
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during his radio program at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela December 26, 2016. / Handout via REUTERS
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
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Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
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Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.