Key facts
- The U.S. welcomed a meeting between Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, and former opposition lawmaker Dinorah Figuera.
- The discussions focused on a democratic transition and strengthening the National Electoral Council (CNE).
- This meeting was the first public rapprochement between the ruling party and opposition in nearly three years.
- U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated the agenda includes rebuilding democratic institutions and securing civic freedoms.
The United States has expressed its approval of an initial meeting held in Caracas between Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera, a former opposition lawmaker. The discussions centered on facilitating a democratic transition within the South American nation, with a particular focus on bolstering the National Electoral Council (CNE).
This encounter represents the first public engagement between the ruling party and opposition members in approximately three years, following a prior agreement to hold presidential elections in 2024. Details regarding the specifics of the meeting were limited, with the National Assembly issuing a brief statement indicating the talks aimed to establish a platform for strengthening "democracy and the consolidation of peace."
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott affirmed that the agenda discussed aligns with key U.S. priorities, including the reconstruction of Venezuela's democratic institutions, reinforcing the CNE, re-establishing durable guarantees for political participation, and ensuring essential civic freedoms for open political discourse.