Venezuela's Maduro and opposition in landmark crisis talks

Opposition supporters held a rally late on Thursday as the talks began

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has met challenger leaders in crisis talks aimed at quelling weeks of protests.

Mr Maduro met his acid enemy, opponent leader Henrique Capriles, for six hours. More talks are scheduled for Tuesday.

The meeting was brokered by foreign ministers from South American nations.

Protests erupted greater than soaring crime rates in February, but have snowballed into wider hostile to-dispensation rallies. Some 40 people have been killed.

Mr Maduro, who says the protests are share of a "fascist" US-backed turn nearby him, told the meeting that there would be no conformity related to the rival.

"There are no negotiations here. No pacts. All we'regarding looking for is a model of peaceful coexistence, of mutual tolerance," he said.

Nicolas Maduro insisted there would be no deal with the opposition

He has said any nice of formal unity considering the opponent would make him a "traitor to chavismo", the socialist platform of his predecessor Hugo Chavez.

Mr Maduro called regarding the assailant to step the length of from exploitation.

'Builders of friendship'

Mr Capriles, who was narrowly defeated in last year's presidential election, insisted that the opposition did not work up a coup contiguously the running.

"We don't deficiency a coup d'etat. We don't nonexistence an explosion upon the streets," he said.

"Either this business changes, or it bursts. I aspiration it changes because I don't lack mistreatment."

Mr Capriles with accused Mr Maduro of creature disrespectful to the Venezuelan people.

"How are you going to ask the country to meet the expense of on you if you call half the country fascists or you threaten them?" he asked. "I think it is very distant to control a country where half the people are in addition to to you."

The talks were apportion liven up upon television.

Pope Francis sent a letter giving his preserve to the talks.

"I urge you not to acquire ashore in the engagement of the moment but right of entry yourselves to one choice to become legitimate builders of goodwill," the Roman Catholic leader said, in a letter retrieve out at the meeting.

Venezuela is rapidly separated together in the midst of supporters and opponents of Mr Maduro, who narrowly annoyance Mr Capriles to the meting out last year.

The oil-skillfully-upheaval country's economy has hit the buffers in recent years, taking into consideration than food shortages and rising inflation causing increasing dissent.