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QUICK FACTS:
Capital: Caracas.
Currency: Bolvar.
Exports: Oil.
Language: Spanish.
"We are conscious that our homeland's destiny should be marked by peace,"
Jaua told local media. "Words can be taken back, but what cannot be revoked is
a bullet to the head."
After a two-day visit to Venezuela, ministers from the Union of South American
Nations (UNASUR) said Thursday that Maduro had agreed to have a "good-faith
witness to facilitate dialogue."
It was unclear who the "witness" would be.
In Bogot, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said foreign ministers from
three countries would give "the final touches" to the agreement "so that
dialogue can begin."
Santos said the Venezuelan government agreed to the talks after ministers
visiting Caracas met with the opposition, students, religious and human rights
groups, and Maduro himself.
Maduro has attacked the opposition as "fascists" and claimed that they want to
topple his government with help from the CIA.
Two opposition mayors have been arrested and sent to prison, while an
opposition leader, Leopoldo Lpez, is in jail awaiting trial. Scores of other
protesters are also behind bars.
Maduro elected to office one year ago by a wafer-thin margin called for
talks soon after the protests began, but the main Venezuelan opposition group
and student protesters have refused as long as they have jailed supporters.
A moderate opposition group said Wednesday it was ready to talk to Maduro, in
a rare potential step forward following weeks of unrest.
"We are ready for a transparent, balanced and fair dialogue, a public one with a
national or international good-faith facilitator... that can mediate if needed,"
Ramon Aveledo told broadcaster Globovision.
Aveledo, of the Democratic Unity group, which seeks reform without ousting
the elected socialist regime, spoke after meeting with the UNASUR ministers.
Hours before the announcement, the U.S. State Department issued its
strongest comment yet on the troubles in Venezuela, saying it would consider
imposing sanctions if Maduro didn't reconcile with his opponents.
The State Department's top official for Latin America said sanctions could
become an "important tool" to pressure Maduro.
"If there is no movement, no possibility of dialogue, if there's no democratic
space for the opposition, obviously we have to think about this, and we are
it
categorically
rejected
U.S.
Economists said the new "Sicad 2" exchange system could alleviate some of
the pent-up demand for dollars, and indeed the bolivar has rallied on the black
market since details of the policy change emerged in recent weeks, according
to Dolar Today, a website that tracks illegal trading in the currency.
Under the new system, the central bank matches dollar buyers and sellers who
make bids through authorized banks and brokerages. While Oil Minister Rafael
Ramirez said there is no limit on the amount or rate at which dollars can be
acquired, satisfying demand will hinge on enough dollars coming to market
from the state-run oil company, PDVSA, which is the source of 90 percent of
Venezuela's export earnings.
The central bank is expected to publish daily the reference rate used in
accepted transactions. On Monday, traders consulted by The Associated Press
said the accepted rate fluctuated around 55 bolivars per dollar.
Former President Hugo Chavez in 2010 shut down a currency system that had
allowed Venezuelans to obtain dollars legally by swapping government or
PDVSA bonds in bolivars for ones issued abroad in dollars.
It is too early to tell if Maduros move will calm the demonstrations his
government that began five weeks ago, less than a year after Maduro
succeeded Chavez.
A pregnant woman shot in the head and a National Guard soldier fired on as he
tried to clear a roadway are the latest fatalities in violence tied to antigovernment protests in Venezuela, authorities said Monday.
And Diosado Cabello, who heads the Venezuelan congress, said opposition
lawmaker Maria Corina Machado had violated the constitution by addressing
the Organization of American States last week at the invitation of Panama,
which ceded its seat at the Washington-based group so she could provide
regional diplomats with a firsthand account of the unrest.
"She's no longer a deputy," Cabello told reporters, saying that her acceptance
of Panamas offer was unconstitutional. "We're giving instructions that this
woman not be allowed back into parliament for this session."
Maduro referred to Machado as "ex-congresswoman" on Saturday, a few days
after arresting two opposition mayors for allegedly conspiring with the U.S. to
topple his 11-month-old administration.
Machado was in Lima, Peru, on Monday attending a conference organized by
the International Foundation for Liberty.
She told reporters that Cabello's actions "give us more strength and more
reasons to continue the fight." She said she intends to return to Venezuela as
soon as possible. The lawmaker, who says the president and his allies preside
over a dictatorship, said she would not give up without a fight.
Wire services
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/25/venezuela-movestoeasecurrencycurbs.html