https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-venezuela-politics/exclusive-venezuela-socialists-opposition-leaders-begin-secret-talks-amid-pandemic-sources-idUSKCN2232NX
The discussions emerged from concerns about COVID-19, hyperinflation and growing fuel shortages, as well as worries among some members of the ruling Socialist Party about how to ensure their political survival under a possible change of government as Washington tightens sanctions, the sources said.
The talks, which have no clear agenda, show that allies of both Maduro and Guaido remain unconvinced that they can defeat the other amid a global pandemic and a broad U.S. sanctions program meant to push Maduro from office.
“There are two extremes: Maduro and those who believe that the virus will end Guaido’s leadership, and those on the other side (who) hope this crisis will bring down Maduro,” said an opposition legislator in favor of the rapprochement.
Skye, can you provide us some context?
Guaidó himself denied this on Twitter yesterday, but it's possible he's lying. Negotiations between opposition members and regime officials have been a recurring thing during these years of crisis. However both the opposition and the government have numerous factions with different objectives. It all would depend on who's doing the talking.
Anyways, negotiations always go south because the opposition's demands usually boil down to "Why don't you go away" and Maduro's response is "Why don't you make me".
Let me tell you right away, Venezuela's health system has been in ruins for
years. I should know, I'm a doctor and I saw it first hand. It can't handle usual emergencies, let alone full blown Coronavirus outbreak. If a country isn't prepared for that, it's Venezuela.
people are reportedly waiting 9 hours and pushing their cars to get to gas stations
Gasoline shortages were definitely a thing before I left the country a year and a half ago. Lines of cars were several blocks long, and people pushing their cars was a common sight. It just wasn't so notorious because (as usual) Caracas was mostly spared of it. A month before I left I had to wait 4 hours in line to pump gas. The day before I left, most of my friends couldn't come to my house because that day, all the gas stations in the city were out of gas. So yeah, it was depressing.
