Meaningful dialogue should be held to solve Venezuela's challenges

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Saturday called on the Venezuelan government and the opposition to hold dialogues to solve the country's current challenges.

"The Secretary-General continues to follow events in Venezuela and is encouraged by the ongoing initiatives by former Heads of State and Government to promote dialogue between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition, under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)," Ban's spokesperson's office said in a statement.

According to reports, the opposition has been seeking to hold a referendum to recall Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with protests hitting the streets of Caracas and other cities in recent days. UNASUR, an intergovernmental regional bloc comprising 12 South American countries, is making efforts to defuse the tension.

Taking note of regional calls for dialogue, Ban "reiterates his strong conviction that the Government and the opposition should address the country's current challenges through meaningful dialogue, adhering to the rule of law and the Constitution, for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," said the statement.