WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says the U.S. may have to take a larger role in trying to ease the crisis in Venezuela if a South American effort to broker talks between the government in Caracas and the opposition remains stalled.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is headed to Mexico on Wednesday and is expected to discuss potential next steps with officials there.

The U.S. has supported regional efforts to reach a compromise. But a senior State Department official told reporters Wednesday that the standoff needs to be resolved within days, or weeks at most, or risk the continued of violent unrest that has gripped Venezuela for months. The official requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the matter by name.

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