Venezuela's Maduro sworn in to second term

CARACAS - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in to a second term on Thursday, proposed a pardon for political protesters serving jail sentences for violence.

After taking the oath of office, Maduro announced a six-point plan of action for his second term, the first aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its political opponents, who boycotted the May 20 elections.

"I am announcing an expansive policy of reunion and pacification so that the perpetrators of violence can join the political struggle without weapons and without violence," Maduro told the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), where he was sworn in.

"Let these people be released as part of a process of reconciliation," said Maduro.

The second line of action addresses the country's economic crisis, calling for "a productive economic accord to achieve economic stability and increasingly sustained recovery."

To promote the second point, Maduro met with state governors to identify ways to increase food production, and create a new and efficient means of distributing, selling and determining the price of produce.

"On Friday, all of the governors are going to give me their written proposals," said Maduro.

The third main goal of his second term will be to launch "a renewed, head-on fight against all types of corruption," said the president.

Maduro also proposed to "strengthen and expand" social programs, including state-funded public education and housing; to protect Venezuela from "the onslaught of imperialism" and US sanctions; and to continue to develop Venezuelan socialism with Christian and Bolivarian characteristics.

Maduro won reelection to a second term, which will conclude in 2025, by garnering over 6 million votes, some 4 million more than his next closest rival.