CARACAS – The government of President Nicolas Maduro and the country’s opposition have reached a “social protection agreement” in Mexico to protect the people of …
Venezuelans, aimed at recovering state funds stuck in the international financial system.
Signing the agreement were for the government the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, and for the opposition the former mayor of Caracas, Gerardo Blyde. Present at the negotiating table at the SoStel hotel in Mexico City were Norwegian mediator Dag Nylander and Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard. The agreement calls for President Nicolas Maduro’s regime and opposition forces to work together on a $2.7 billion spending plan–funds currently frozen in international accounts due to U.S. sanctions–to repair electricity grids, complete health projects or distribute drugs and vaccines in the country. The funds will be managed by the United Nations. The Norwegian mediator congratulated the two sides, but warned that any unilateral measures that change the terms of the agreement will not be considered valid.
The agreement focused on education, health, food security, flood response and electricity programs.
