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In reply to the discussion: Protests continue after Venezuelan diplomatic win [View all]Judi Lynn
(164,047 posts)Jailed Venezuela protest leader mocks Maduro's talks
By Andrew Cawthorne and Daniel Wallis
February 28, 2014 4:58 PM
CARACAS (Reuters) - Jailed Venezuelan protest leader Leopoldo Lopez scoffed on Friday at President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to open talks with opponents and businessman after a month of demonstrations and violence that have killed at least 17 people.
Maduro, 51, seems to have weathered the worst of an explosion of protests against his socialist government that exposed deep discontent with economic problems and brought the nation's worst unrest in a decade.
Some students are still setting up roadblocks and clashing with police in Caracas and the western state of Tachira. But the number of protesters has dropped, and many Venezuelans have begun heading for the beach to enjoy a long weekend for Carnival celebrations.
To try to ease the crisis further, Maduro has been holding talks with business and church leaders and some anti-government politicians, though the main opposition figures such as two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles have boycotted them.
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http://news.yahoo.com/jailed-venezuela-protest-leader-mocks-maduros-talks-151730715.html