LatAm, EU Countries Reach Across To Venezuela's Allies

United Nations, United States, June 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Jun, 2019 ) :A group of countries pushing for elections in Venezuela agreed Monday to reach out to President Nicolas Maduro's international backers, broadening diplomatic efforts to reach a breakthrough.

The initiative was announced following a meeting at the United Nations between the foreign ministers of Peru, Chile and Canada with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and their counterparts from Portugal and Uruguay.

"We decided to put in place an outreach program with the countries that are directly involved in supporting the illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro to be part of the solution," Peru's Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio told reporters. He did not provide details.

Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua have staunchly defended Maduro and denounced the United States for backing opposition leader Juan Guaido after he declared himself interim leader in January.

The meeting between the Lima Group, which opposes Maduro, and the EU-backed International Contact Group came just days after Norway hosted the first face-to-face talks between Maduro's representatives and a delegation sent by Guaido.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers called for a peaceful transition leading to free and fair elections in Venezuela.

Asked about the talks, Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Moscow was open to contacts with other countries to solve the Venezuela crisis.

"We do not reject any peaceful initiative. Anybody who is a friend of Venezuela, anybody who is wanting to help is welcome," Polyanskiy said.

Venezuela is torn by a political crisis compounded by an economic meltdown that have sent millions of Venezuelans fleeing across borders in search of livelihoods abroad.

The United Nations estimates that 7 million people - or one in four Venezuelans - are in need of food, medicine and other basic aid.