Key facts
- Venezuela's interim government and opposition will begin formal talks on August 1.
- The talks aim to strengthen democracy and rebuild the electoral system.
- Dinorah Figuera will lead the opposition's representation, sidelining María Corina Machado.
- The US supports the dialogue, seeking a democratic transition.
- Jorge Rodríguez cited recent earthquakes as a reason for the talks.
Venezuela's interim government and opposition members are set to begin formal talks on August 1, aiming to strengthen democracy and rebuild the nation's electoral system. The initiative is supported by the United States, which seeks a democratic transition.
The talks will be led by opposition ex-lawmaker Dinorah Figuera, who recently returned to Venezuela after nearly eight years in exile. This decision sidelines María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure and Nobel laureate, whose return to the country was reportedly discouraged by the White House.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of the government-controlled National Assembly and brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed the talks, citing the need for national unity following devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. The opposition statement highlighted US support for reconstruction efforts and stated that the talks would prioritize strengthening democratic institutions and the electoral system, as well as providing guarantees for political participation.
Elections held since 2015, the last time opposition parties won a majority in the legislative body, have been boycotted by the opposition or widely dismissed as neither free nor fair. Many opposition politicians and critics of the Maduro government have faced persecution, with 372 remaining jailed.