Venezuelan government, opposition make concessions in Vatican-mediated talks

The Venezuelan goverment agreed to release four political prisoners, and the opposition party agreed to delay a protest march and a parliamentary trial of President Nicholas Maduro, in the first signs that Vatican mediation has eased a political crisis in the South American country.

Talks between the government and the opposition, facilitated by the Vatican, produced modest concessions from both sides - although both sides continued to demand more.

The opposition Democratic Unity party, which has gained control of the Venezuelan parliament, had threatened to try President Maduro on charges of violating the country’s constitution by postponing a referendum vote on his leadership. 

But the lawmakers had little hope of enforcing any judgment against Maduro, who firmly controls the country’s courts as well as the executive branch and the military.