Nicolas Maduro has met with members of the opposition behind closed doors to initiate peace talks in Caracas today. Meeting behind closed doors along with representatives from Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador as well as significant members of the Venezuelan government, the talks discussed ending violence and incorporating the opposition in citizen security programs as well as renewing vacant executive charges and condemning abuse from police.
Although the dialog ran up against the inevitable obstacles of political prisoners and the returning of those that had been exiled, both sides agreed on creating a medical commission to review the state of health of Ivan Simonovis, the man condemned for murder during the 2002 uprising, who the opposition have reframed as a political case and, to a greater extent, a human rights issue because of Mr. Simonovis' failing health. The vice-president of the Mesa de la Unidad, Jorge Arreaza explained the expansion of the country's "Commission of Truth."
Jorge Arreaza explained that the ministry would "undertake investigations, perform interviews and get to the truth. We must emphasized that although the meeting was not without tension, it was always carried out (...) on good terms, with respect and tolerance, with each side respecting the other's right to refute or contradict ideas in a positive way." Arreaza also celebrated the condemnation of violence and the opposition's decision to "renew our commitment to what we had been doing with regard to the security of citizens."
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