Venezuela opposition leader wary of Maduro's rapprochement

HIGUEROTE, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition leader has welcomed President Nicolas Maduro's dialogue with once-vilified political foes but also suspects it may be a ploy to defuse anger over his failure to control crime and end economic scarcities.

After years of polarized politics dating from predecessor Hugo Chavez's 14-year rule, Maduro's socialist government has held a string of meetings with opposition governors and mayors since December to strategize over violent crime and other national problems.