The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
The US, European Union and Canada said they are “willing
to review sanctions policies†against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his regime provided there are “substantive, credible advancements†in negotiations to restore the democratic process in the South American country.
“A time-bound and comprehensive negotiation process should restore the country’s institutions and allow for all Venezuelans to express themselves politically through credible, inclusive and transparent local, parliamentary, and presidential elections,†according to a joint statement released by the US State Department.
The parties called for the unconditional release of political prisoners, the autonomy of political parties, freedom of expression and the press, and an end to human rights violations.
Maduro, a target of crippling US sanctions under former President Donald Trump, reached out to President Joe Biden’s administration in an exclusive Bloomberg News interview last week, calling on him
to lift sanctions and normalise relations.
Responding to Maduro’s comments in the interview, a State Department spokesman said a US policy shift would require major changes by the Venezuelan leader towards restoring democracy before penalties would be lifted.