Secretary Kerry’s Call with Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

The following is attributable on the record to Spokesperson John Kirby:

Secretary Kerry spoke yesterday with former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to welcome efforts he is leading, alongside former Dominican President Leonel Fernandez and former Panamanian President Martín Torrijos, to facilitate dialogue between the government of Venezuela and members of the Venezuelan opposition.

The Secretary noted the United States’ support of the trio’s call for dialogue in Venezuela to find solutions to the economic, political and social challenges facing the country. The Secretary reiterated that the United States supports political dialogue and peaceful, democratic solutions‎ and reaffirmed that any U.S. involvement‎ would only be in support of an agreed-upon Venezuelan solution consistent with constitutional principles. They agreed that the agenda for talks should be determined by Venezuelans.

The United States stands ready to help as deemed useful by Mr. Zapatero and the parties.