U.S. Secretary of State Meets with Venezuelan President

John Kerry, for the first time as U.S. Secretary of State, has officially met with Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, who is a major critic of Washington's policies in the Americas. The meeting took place in Colombia during the signing of a peace treaty between the Colombian President and the leader of the FARC rebels. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that Kerry expressed his concerns about the economic situation and political challenges affecting the lives of millions of Venezuelans. He urged President Maduro to engage in structured cooperation with the opposition to address these challenges. According to the State Department spokesperson, both sides also expressed their agreement to continue bilateral negotiations that had begun in recent months. The Venezuelan government has not yet reacted to reports about this side meeting in Colombia. Maduro's leftist government is facing major economic problems, partly due to falling oil prices and partly, according to its opponents, due to government policies. The opposition coalition, which holds a majority in parliament, is attempting to organize a referendum to shorten Maduro's presidential term. In recent months, there have also been sporadic violent protests in the country. The opposition plans to hold a nationwide protest in the middle of next month, aimed at pressuring for the establishment of a referendum.