UN chief urges dialogue in Venezuela

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged all sides in Venezuela to take steps to ease tensions, prevent further clashes and resume dialogue to pull the country out of political crisis.

"We call for concrete gestures from all parties to reduce polarization and create the necessary conditions to address the country's challenges for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," said Guterres in a statement.

Three people died in clashes on Wednesday between security forces and demonstrators demanding that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro step down. Eight have died overall in three weeks of unrest.

"We are concerned about the latest developments in Venezuela and urge that all efforts be made to lower tensions and prevent further clashes," said Guterres.

"We call on the government of Venezuela and the opposition to engage sincerely to reactivate dialogue efforts, especially around the critical issues that they had already agreed to place on the agenda, namely the balance of power among branches of the state, the electoral calendar, human rights, truth and justice and the socioeconomic situation."