The Venezuelan government and a group of former opposition lawmakers began the second stage of a U.S.-backed political dialogue on September 17. Opposition delegation head Dinorah Figuera arrived in the country on Monday and met with National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. Figuera had previously taken part in the first round of talks, which began on August 12. At that time, the parties agreed to a comprehensive reform of the Supreme Court and to return Venezuelan assets frozen at the Bank of England to help people affected by the June 24 earthquake. The negotiating process also received diplomatic support from the United Kingdom: Minister for Latin America Chris Elmore told Parliament that the talks had been viewed positively and announced plans to appoint a British diplomat with a permanent residence in Caracas. Venezuelan authorities welcomed the upgrading of diplomatic representation and once again declared their intention to recover national funds held abroad.
Full version: National government and opposition sectors resume political dialogue in Venezuela this Thursday