Venezuelan opposition spokesman Angel Oropeza

Venezuela's opposition said Monday it will not hold talks with the government on ending the country's bruising political and economic crisis without a full recount in regional elections it says were rigged.

"We will not take part in any exploratory talks or negotiations unless (the authorities) agree to a recount," said Angel Oropeza, a leader in the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition, after President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in Sunday's vote -- which opinion polls had put the opposition on track to win.