Venezuela begins talks to ease political crisis

CARACAS, Venezuela — Members of Venezuela’s opposition sat down with the government for talks aimed at defusing the nation’s political crisis as embattled President Nicolas Maduro seeks to fend off an intensifying campaign seeking his removal.

Many of the president’s foes fear they could be a stalling tactic designed to ease pressure on the unpopular socialist leader, whom many Venezuelans blame for triple-digit inflation and widespread food and medicine shortages.

Fifteen parties belonging to the Democratic Unity opposition alliance boycotted the talks, saying they are not prepared to sit across from the government until it releases several jailed opposition activists and reverses its decision to cancel a constitutionally allowed recall referendum against Maduro.