Biden administration authorises US oil company Chevron to open talks with Maduro's government, temporarily lifting a ban on such discussions, senior administration officials say.
President Nicolas Maduro’s calculation includes the potential for domestic and international political and economic gains.
Last November, the ICC opened a formal investigation into alleged rights violations during a crackdown by security forces on protests sparked by the arrests of several opposition leaders in 2017.
The recent regional elections were billed as a test for the beginning of the end of a years-long political stalemate.
Talks, mediated by Norway and hosted by Mexico, have a seven-point agenda including easing sanctions, political rights and electoral guarantees – but not the departure of President Maduro.
The mayoral and gubernatorial elections will be the first overseen by the new council, named earlier this month, which includes three members linked to President Nicolas Maduro's ruling Socialist Party and two members close to the opposition.
Guaido boycotted the December 6 polls, losing the limited institutional legitimacy he had and leaving foreign governments backing his claim to the presidency in a difficult position.
Electoral board president says 67.6 percent of 5.2 million votes cast in Sunday's election were for pro-Maduro candidates with only 31 percent voter turnout.
An opposition coalition led by US-backed politician Juan Guaido is boycotting the vote and will hold a referendum over several days after the election.
The Court of Appeals has set aside July's High Court judgement, which found that Britain's recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as "constitutional interim president of Venezuela" was conclusive.
The speech marks Nicolas Maduro’s return to the world stage after his absence last year as political tumult embroiled the country.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido urges military leadership to join a "unity pact" of opposition forces to block the holding of December 6 legislative elections in a bid to pressurise President Nicolas Maduro.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2022 TRT World.