CARACAS, Venezuela Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter arrived in Venezuela on Saturday to aid a faltering dialogue between the government and opposition parties three months after a coup against President Hugo Chavez left the oil-rich nation racked by bitter political divisions.

But just hours before Carter arrived in Caracas, a top business group pulled out of the talks, dealing another blow to attempts to bridge splits between supporters and foes of the outspoken South American president, Reuters reported.

Carter, who has gained worldwide respect as a peace envoy in conflicts around the globe since leaving office, will hold four days of talks at the invitation of the Chavez government.

Last month Carter made headlines in Cuba when he criticized both the decades-old U.S. embargo against the communist-run island and President Fidel Castro for failing to grant his people greater political freedom and civil liberties.

On Sunday Carter met Chavez, who greatly admires Castro and has been accused by his critics of trying to model Venezuela on Cuba.

"It is my hope that the Venezuelan government and opposition groups will pursue constructive talks to settle immediate pressing differences and then set in place a long-term process," the former U.S. president said in a brief statement released by his Carter Center in Atlanta.

Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, has been rattled by political uncertainty since April when rebel and civilian leaders ousted Chavez for 48 hours before loyal troops restored him to power.

Since the coup Chavez has called repeatedly for dialogue and moved to appease his critics by promoting a more market-friendly economic cabinet. But his political opponents say Chavez is unwilling to change the policies they believe are edging Venezuela closer to a Cuban-style authoritarian state.