A group of Venezuelan government officials and opposition activists are quietly holding talks focused on the economy despite the stalling of a formal dialogue mediated by Norway, according to nine sources involved.
The two most sizeable investors in Norway have told global companies to make sure they are not contributing to environmental destruction in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil.
Norway Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration, Tim Dodson, and YPF's CEO Daniel Gonzalez have signed an agreement to jointly explore the CAN 100 offshore block, located in the North Argentine Basin.
Brazilian states containing the country’s Amazon rainforest said they want to negotiate directly with European nations who fund projects to curb deforestation after changes proposed by the federal government led Norway and Germany to suspend donations.
Norway has suspended funding that was supporting measures to curb deforestation in Brazil after the country blocked the operations of a fund receiving the aid, the Norwegian ministry of climate and environment said on Thursday.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro again criticized a state agency that monitors the Amazon, saying on Sunday that its latest report on increased deforestation damages Brazil’s reputation amid what he says is an “environmental psychosis” overseas about environmental protection in South America’s biggest nation.
Norway has expressed alarm over accelerating the destruction of the Amazon and concern for the future of a Brazilian rainforest protection fund it has given US$ 1.2 billion to in the last decade. Deforestation in Brazil’s portion of the Amazon soared more than 88% in June compared to the same month a year ago, the second consecutive month of rising destruction under new President Jair Bolsonaro.
Venezuela's self-declared interim president Juan Guaido said on Sunday a new dialogue between the opposition and President Nicolas Maduro's government would be held in Barbados. He did not specify a date for resumption of talks at the new venue, in the Caribbean, after earlier discussions stalled in Norway.
The first tourist train traveling through Russia's Arctic region carrying passengers heading for Norway set off from Saint Petersburg station on Wednesday with 91 passengers aboard for the inaugural trial journey.
Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido said that talks hosted by Norway between his delegation and that of President Nicolas Maduro would continue despite Wednesday's discussions ending “without agreement.”