The talks between President Nicolas Maduro's government and the opposition are meant to find solutions to Venezuela's long-running political and economic crisis. The opposition will repeat its long-standing petition for release of political prisoners and guarantees for an election slated for 2024, two sources close to preparations for the talks said. Envoys from Caracas and Washington have met several times in Doha since last year in separate conversations, according to other sources with knowledge of those talks, but Venezuela's opposition did not directly participate. One source said the Venezuelan government had broadly discussed electoral issues at the Qatar talks, but had not entered into detail about guarantees. The United States announced on Thursday it will restart deportations of Venezuelans who cross the U.S.-Mexico border unlawfully, an agreement two of the sources said was achieved during the Doha talks.

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Persons: Marianna Parraga, Diego Oré, Mayela Armas, Nicolas Maduro's, Delcy Rodriguez, Henrique Capriles, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Andrew Mills, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . State Department, Venezuela's Foreign Affairs, Reuters, White, United States, Doha Locations: Mayela Armas HOUSTON, MEXICO, CARACAS, Mexico, U.S, Caracas, Washington, Doha, Qatar, United States, Venezuela, Venezuelan, Houston, Diego Ore, Mexico City, Washinghton