Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Aug. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Str)

Venezuelan opposition parties participated in elections Sunday for the first time since 2017, voting for governors and mayors in a litmus test for President Nicolas Maduro's government amid international sanctions and economic crisis.

With European Union observers returning to the country after a 15-year absence, long queues of voters formed early at polling booths in the capital Caracas - a very different picture from elections for president in 2018 and for parliament two years later that were boycotted by the opposition.

Leftist Maduro, whose presidency has seen the South American nation targeted by punishing economic sanctions, has sought a relaxation of the punitive measures through careful shows of goodwill and democratic intent.

With hundreds of millions of dollars of its funds frozen abroad, Venezuela wants to be able to sell its petroleum more easily and to end limits on imports. 

The government has made a calculated series of concessions, opening negotiations with the opposition, and inviting election observers from the EU, the United Nations and the US-based Carter Center to witness Sunday's vote.

The opposition agreed to take part after receiving assurances from the government. 

Opposition leaders hope to raise their profile through participation, and to gain support ahead of presidential elections set for 2024.

Some 21 million of Venezuela's 30 million people are eligible to vote Sunday for 23 state governors, 335 mayors as well as state and municipal councils.

AFP