CARACAS-
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sought to hold a “peace conference” on Wednesday in an attempt to end three weeks of at times deadly anti-government protests in the oil-rich but deeply divided country.
But the main opposition leader Henrique Capriles is not attending, saying he is tired of what he calls government lies and police repression against students protesters.
Capriles, a state governor, was narrowly defeated by Maduro in elections 11 months ago to succeed the late Hugo Chavez.
Maduro’s gathering aims to bring together political, social and religious figures but he has given no details over who has committed to taking part.
The protests have left at least 14 people dead and raised alarm in South America, the US and Europe.
The country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves has been rocked since February 4 by protests over rampant crime, runaway inflation, corruption and other woes.