VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro welcomed opposition forces’ commitment to renouncing violence as he laid out his government’s demands during peace talks on Monday.

A memorandum of understanding was reportedly signed as part of the negotiations in Mexico, and Mr Maduro said that his government remained ready and willing for talks with the United States.

But he warned that this must mean a dramatic shift in Washington’s attitude to the South American nation and a new respect for its national sovereignty.