MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — In early January, Venezuela's new opposition-controlled parliament formally started its legislative functioning. In mid-March, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition, which controls the parliament, approved the first reading of a draft law on holding a recall referendum to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
Earlier this month, Venezuela’s opposition submitted to the country’s authorities a petition with the signatures of 1.85 million nationals, almost 10 times more than required, in a bid to hold a referendum to remove Maduro from office.
The mediators were Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former Presidents of Panama Martin Torrijos, former President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez, Jesus Torrealba, Secretary-General of the MUD, said on Twitter.
During the talks, the opposition once again outlined the points that opponents of Maduro consider absolutely necessary to start a national dialogue. Among them were a referendum on Maduro's recall and the release of all political prisoners.
Maduro has been facing a wave of criticism by the opposition over discontent with his government and acute economic and social problems, including hospital crises during the notorious Zika virus spread, power cuts and fluctuating inflation.
