Norway has attempted to facilitate high-level talks between Venezuela's government and political opposition, both sides have said.
The government and the opposition have been engaged in a bitter power struggle since January.
Reports of a meeting between the two sides in Norway's capital Oslo first emerged on Thursday.
They were later confirmed by Juan Jorge Valero, Venezuela's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó said he had sent "some envoys" to Norway, but denied that talks had already been held with Mr Maduro's delegation.
The timing of the talks is a surprise. They come just days after 10 opposition lawmakers were stripped of their immunity and charged with treason, and shortly after Mr Guaidó said he was considering asking the US to launch a military intervention to oust President Maduro from power.
Previous attempts at mediation between the two Venezuelan sides have failed, with the opposition alleging the government only engaged in them to divide their rivals and buy time.
However, Norway has in the past successfully mediated in the Colombian armed conflict.
'Days of talks'
Mr Valero told reporters: "I can confirm that there are dialogues but I cannot go into details".
He said the talks were between representatives of the Venezuelan government and what he called the "democratic part" of the opposition.
Norwegian broadcaster NRK, quoting anonymous sources, reported that talks had been under way for "several days" and that representatives of the two sides were due to return to Venezuela on Thursday.
At a rally in Caracas, Mr Guaidó acknowledged that Norway had been attempting to "mediate" in the political crisis.
"Everyone who joins the process of liberation and democratisation of Venezuela… will be absolutely welcome," he added.
'Very important mission'
NRK said the Venezuelan government was represented by Information Minister Jorge Rodríguez and the governor of Miranda province, Héctor Rodríguez.
Speaking on TV on Wednesday, President Maduro said Mr Rodríguez was "overseas, on a very important mission" but did not give further details.
Venezuelan media said the opposition was represented by former lawmaker Gerardo Blyde and a former minister, Fernando Martínez Mottola.
Neither Mr Blyde nor Mr Mottola have commented on the reports.
Norway's foreign ministry said it would not comment on whether the talks had taken place and what Norway's role, if any, was.
Spiralling tension
While the opposition and the government have been at loggerheads for years, the situation escalated after President Maduro was sworn in for a second term on 9 January after elections which were widely dismissed as "neither free nor fair".
On 23 January, the president of the opposition-controlled NationRead More – Source
Norway has attempted to facilitate high-level talks between Venezuela's government and political opposition, both sides have said.
The government and the opposition have been engaged in a bitter power struggle since January.
Reports of a meeting between the two sides in Norway's capital Oslo first emerged on Thursday.
They were later confirmed by Juan Jorge Valero, Venezuela's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó said he had sent "some envoys" to Norway, but denied that talks had already been held with Mr Maduro's delegation.
The timing of the talks is a surprise. They come just days after 10 opposition lawmakers were stripped of their immunity and charged with treason, and shortly after Mr Guaidó said he was considering asking the US to launch a military intervention to oust President Maduro from power.
Previous attempts at mediation between the two Venezuelan sides have failed, with the opposition alleging the government only engaged in them to divide their rivals and buy time.
However, Norway has in the past successfully mediated in the Colombian armed conflict.
'Days of talks'
Mr Valero told reporters: "I can confirm that there are dialogues but I cannot go into details".
He said the talks were between representatives of the Venezuelan government and what he called the "democratic part" of the opposition.
Norwegian broadcaster NRK, quoting anonymous sources, reported that talks had been under way for "several days" and that representatives of the two sides were due to return to Venezuela on Thursday.
At a rally in Caracas, Mr Guaidó acknowledged that Norway had been attempting to "mediate" in the political crisis.
"Everyone who joins the process of liberation and democratisation of Venezuela… will be absolutely welcome," he added.
'Very important mission'
NRK said the Venezuelan government was represented by Information Minister Jorge Rodríguez and the governor of Miranda province, Héctor Rodríguez.
Speaking on TV on Wednesday, President Maduro said Mr Rodríguez was "overseas, on a very important mission" but did not give further details.
Venezuelan media said the opposition was represented by former lawmaker Gerardo Blyde and a former minister, Fernando Martínez Mottola.
Neither Mr Blyde nor Mr Mottola have commented on the reports.
Norway's foreign ministry said it would not comment on whether the talks had taken place and what Norway's role, if any, was.
Spiralling tension
While the opposition and the government have been at loggerheads for years, the situation escalated after President Maduro was sworn in for a second term on 9 January after elections which were widely dismissed as "neither free nor fair".
On 23 January, the president of the opposition-controlled NationRead More – Source
