Carter arrives in Venezuela for talks

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter enters a vehicle after arriving at the airport in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday.

CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter arrived in Venezuela on Saturday to begin a four-day trip to help resolve the nation's political crisis.

Carter said he hopes the Venezuelan government and opposition groups will enter talks to settle their differences and start a long-term political process. He said he will also broach the idea of the international community getting involved in the effort.

The Venezuelan government invited Carter and his team to the country.

"We are not here to interfere, but just to make recommendations and to offer the continuing services of The Carter Center," said Jennifer McCoy, director of the center's Americas Program. "Our goal is to initiate a long-term process that will lead to inclusive governance and ultimately strengthen the deep tradition of democracy in Venezuela."

Venezuela has been beset by political unrest, including a military coup in April that briefly removed President Hugo Chavez from power. The left-wing Chavez, who has ruled since 1998, was later restored to power by loyal troops and supporters after several days of street violence and looting that left more than 60 people dead.

The Bush administration did not condemn the action and blamed street protests on "undemocratic actions committed or encouraged by the Chavez administration." U.S. officials said they did not encourage the coup, but acknowledged holding "conversations" with opposition leaders in that oil-rich country, as well as meeting with Venezuela's military chief of staff late last year.