Barbados to succeed if 'gringos' don't meddle: Maduro

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - After talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition failed in Oslo last May, the country's president said on Monday he is hopeful for a new stage of negotiations in Barbados if there is "no U.S. interference."

"I am confident if we continue working in accordance with this agenda, and if there is no interference from the gringos, we will be able to reach agreements for the benefit of Venezuela," Nicolas Maduro told a press conference broadcast live on Periscope.

Latin Americans use "gringo" as derogatory word to describe Americans.

Maduro said he became hopeful after having read a report from the head of the government's delegation about the negotiation process.

He stressed that the Barbados talks would focus on six main points, comprising of a comprehensive "integral strategy and agenda", including all of the country's major issues.

Noting that the first meeting on Monday lasted five hours, Maduro reiterated that Venezuela was "tired of these conflicts", and that it was time for the sides to "reach an agreement and hear each other."

"Today, thanks to the efforts of the Norwegian government, the process of dialogue with the Venezuelan opposition began. We have a six-point agenda that touches on all the fundamental issues of national life, and I'm sure we will achieve important agreements," Maduro said on Twitter.

"I have faith in the dialogue!" he added.

On Sunday, opposition leader Juan Guaido's office announced they would take part in fresh talks with the delegation of Maduro's government in Barbados, following a two-round talks in Oslo last May which brought no results.

Political unrest has been ongoing between supporters of President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido since Jan. 10.

Guaido in January proclaimed himself the rightful president of Venezuela, dismissing President Maduro’s 2018 re-election as a fraud, a move recognized by more than 50 states including the U.S.

However, the Venezuelan state institutions as well as the military have been putting their weight behind the elected leader Maduro.

After facing continuous opposition from the army and people challenging his legitimacy, Guaido and his mostly Western allies in May agreed to participate in initiatives in Oslo.