Talks on a political transition have begun in Caracas without María Corina Machado
U.S.-backed talks on a political transition between Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives began in Caracas on Thursday. According to France 24, the meeting is taking place at the La Carlota military base, where only photographers were allowed access.
The government is represented at the talks by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez—the brother of the country’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez. Representing the opposition is Dinora Figuera, who returned to Venezuela from exile on Wednesday. She leads the opposition bloc that won a majority in the National Assembly, elected in the 2015 elections, which were widely recognized by the international community.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is not participating in the talks. She lives in exile and did not receive an invitation to the discussions. Machado stated on X that she will not obstruct this process and believes that a democratic transition can restore freedom and prosperity to Venezuela.
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Figera told Televen that the parties are focused on the official start of a dialogue aimed at restoring democratic institutions. She also called for changes to the composition of the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council. These institutions have been criticized for certifying the results of Nicolás Maduro’s controversial reelection in 2024. The opposition rejected the election results, claiming victory and alleging widespread fraud.
The U.S. State Department welcomed the Figueres delegation’s start of face-to-face talks with Venezuela’s interim government. The department called the direct dialogue a unique opportunity and urged both sides to work toward achieving concrete results for the Venezuelan people, including stabilization, economic recovery, political reconciliation, and a peaceful transition.
According to the agenda released by both sides, participants will discuss the response to the two earthquakes on June 24—which, according to France 24, killed more than 6,000 people—as well as the strengthening of democracy and political rights. The talks began seven months after President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces, the publication reports.
