Venezuelan president says not to let the opposition leave negotiations

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that he will not allow the opposition to leave the negotiations, which began on Oct. 30 in a bid to find a solution to the country's political crisis.

"The dialogue table, set up four weeks ago, is an opportunity for peace, and I will not allow anyone to leave ... We will stay for all of 2017, all of 2018," said Maduro during a speech at a military event in Caracas.

The president said that bringing his government and the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) closer "is the path" toward "the building of an agreement of coexistence ... and for regularization of this historic conflict."

"The only path is dialogue, in search of peace, in search of respect, of tolerance between Venezuelans," he added.

Maduro called on the opposition to cast aside "the arguments of those who do not care about Venezuelans, to leave this tiring war they create through their divisions, to cease campaigns that spread hate."

He added that the dialogue, which will hold its third session on Dec. 6, must be a "great instrument" to ensure stability and avoid war.

The MUD has been divided as to whether it should participate in the negotiations, with several leaders claiming Maduro has not complied with electoral requirements or allowed a recall referendum process against him to go ahead, making the talks pointless. Endit