The Venezuelan Negotiation Process
Article | Last updated: 10/04/2024 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In 2021, the Venezuelan government and opposition initiated negotiations on a comprehensive solution to the crisis in the country.
Norway has over time been engaged in assisting the parties in Venezuela in finding a solution to the country's conflict. From May to August 2019, Norway facilitated negotiations between the delegations of Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó in Oslo and Barbados. The parties made progress in the talks, but did not reach any agreements.
In August 2021, a new negotiation process was established with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Norway is facilitator for the negotiations, while Mexico is host nation and the Netherlands and Russia participate as accompanying countries.
In the following, the most important milestones of the negotiation process are summarized.
State Secretary Kravik visited Caracas, 2 – 3 april 2024
State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik visited Caracas on 2 – 3 april 2024.
Negotiations resumed 19 February 2024
During the sixth round of negotiations in Caracas, Venezuela, the parties discussed the electoral calendar for this year’s presidential election.
Agreement on procedure for candidates, 30 November 2023
Following the fifth round of negotiations, which took place in Bridgetown, Barbados, Norway announced on 30 November 2023 that the parties had agreed on procedure for candidates who wish to stand for election.
Negotiations resumed, 17 October 2023
During the fifth round of negotiations in Bridgetown, Barbados, the parties agreed on a joint statement and signed two partial agreements.
- Read the joint statement
- Read the Partial Agreement on the Promotion of Political Rights and Electoral Guarantees for All (PDF, in Spanish)
- Partial Agreement for the Protection of the Vital Interests of the Nation (PDF, in Spanish)
Negotiations resumed, 26 November 2022
During the fourth round of negotiations in Mexico City, the parties agreed on a joint statement and reached a partial agreement.
- Read the second social agreement (PDF, in Spanish)
- Read the joint statement
The Oslo Forum, 21 – 22 June 2022
21 and 22 June 2022, the Heads of Delegation of the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela and the Unitary Platform of Venezuela participated at the Oslo Forum. On that occasion, Norway published two tweets:
Negotiations suspended, 16 October 2021
The negotiation process was suspended on 16 October 2021 when the government decided not to participate in the upcoming round of negotiations, with reference to the extradition of Alex Saab from Cape Verde to the United States.
Third round of negotiations, 25 – 27 September 2021
During the third round of negotiations in Mexico City, the parties agreed on a joint statement.
Second round of negotiations, 3 – 6 September 2021
During the second round of negotiations in Mexico City, the parties agreed on a joint statement and reached two agreements.
- The joint statement can be read here (PDF, in Spanish)
- The first agreement is available here (PDF, in Spanish)
- The second agreement is available here (PDF, in Spanish)
Launch of new negotiations, 13 August 2021
Exploratory talks between the two parties since March 2021 resulted in the launch of a new negotiation process on 13 August in Mexico City. There, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, setting out the visions, agenda and format for comprehensive negotiations. Norway is facilitator of the negotiations, while Mexico is host nation and the Netherlands and Russia participate as accompanying countries.
The parties aim to negotiate effectively to achieve inclusive and lasting results for the benefit of the Venezuelan people. They have agreed to conduct consultations with political and civilian actors during the process. At the same time, it is desirable that the sensitive nature of the negotiations is respected in order to allow the parties to progress.
- The signed MoU can be read here (PDF, in Spanish)
- The Norwegian intervention during the launch can be read here (in Spanish)