UN Chief, Venezuelan FM to Discuss Violent Protests

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Elias Jaua speaks during a news conference at the Venezuelan Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014.

United Nations officials say Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will meet with Venezuela's foreign minister in Geneva Tuesday to discuss violent street protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua will also speak to the UN Human Rights Council about the student-led protests.

Venezuela's UN ambassador, Jorge Valero said in a radio interview Saturday that the talks would be an opportunity for Jaua to explain how his government has been advancing the peace process and what measures are being taken to recover from the disturbances.

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Maduro because of the country's high crime rate, inflation and shortages of staples such as milk and flour.

The Maduro government, which succeeded that of the late Hugo Chavez, blames the violence on right-wing opponents of his government, accusing them of receiving support from the United States. The U.S. government denies involvement in the unrest.