The Latest: Norway mediation effort in Venezuela stalls

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The Latest: Norway mediation effort in Venezuela stalls

The Associated Press

June 07, 2019 09:50 AM

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FILE – In this April 14, 2019 file photo, Venezuelans cross illegally into Colombia near the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, close to Cucuta, Colombia. The U.N. refugee agency said Friday, June 7, that the number of Venezuelans who have left their country in recent years has surpassed 4 million.


Fernando Vergara, File

AP Photo


CARACAS, Venezuela

The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local):

10:28 a.m.

A member of Venezuela’s opposition said that a mediation effort by Norway is stalling over Nicolás Maduro’s refusal to accept presidential elections to resolve the nation’s political crisis.

The source spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the matter.

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The person said opposition leader Juan Guaidó will announce the decision not to attend future meetings sponsored by Norway at a rally Friday in the central city of Valencia.

Norway has hosted two rounds of exploratory talks between representatives of the Venezuelan government and opposition over the past month. The opposition has insisted the starting point for talks is Maduro’s willingness to hold elections within a reasonable time frame.

Facilitators from Norway are in Caracas for meetings with both sides.

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10:15 a.m.

The number of Venezuelans who have left their country in recent years has surpassed 4 million, the United Nations said Friday ahead of a visit to the region by UNHCR envoy Angelina Jolie.

The U.N. refugee agency said the number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants rose by 1 million after November, indicating a rapid escalation as economic conditions deteriorated and a conflict between the government of President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition intensified.

Latin American countries host most Venezuelans, with more than 1.3 million in Colombia followed by 768,000 in Peru, UNHCR said.

On Friday, Jolie planned to start a two-day trip to the Colombian border with Venezuela to assess the migrant crisis caused by the country’s tumult.

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