Delegations from the Venezuelan government and an opposition faction have begun closed-door talks in Caracas to address political and humanitarian issues.
Key facts
- •The U.S. State Department described the talks as a unique opportunity to support a Venezuelan-led process for political reconciliation.
- •Dinorah Figuera, who had an active arrest warrant issued against her by the government in 2023, returned to Venezuela to lead the opposition delegation.
- •The government delegation includes Jorge Rodríguez, Pedro Infante, América Pérez, Génesis Garvett, Jorge Arreaza, and Ana María San Juan.
- •The opposition delegation includes Marco Aurelio Quiñones, Desiree Barboza, Ramón López, Jorge Millán, and Juan Miguel Matheus.
- •The U.S. plan for the region involves a three-phase approach targeting stabilization, economic recovery, and a peaceful transition.
Delegations representing the Venezuelan government and a sector of the opposition met on Thursday at the La Carlota Convention Center in Caracas. This marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two sides since the January 3 detention of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The negotiations are backed by the United States and are being held behind closed doors.
Negotiation Framework and Agenda
The parties have agreed to principles including national sovereignty, mutual recognition, and a constitutional solution. They are scheduled to remain in permanent session until Wednesday, August 12, to determine the future of the plenary. The agenda focuses on three primary areas: assistance for victims of June's earthquakes, the strengthening of democracy, and guarantees for political and civil rights. The opposition is specifically seeking the release of political prisoners, the lifting of bans on political parties, and a timeline for upcoming elections. They are also calling for the restructuring of the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council. As of now, no agreements have been reached on these specific points.
Delegations and Political Context
The government delegation is led by National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez, accompanied by several lawmakers and Higher Education Minister Ana María San Juan. The opposition team is headed by Dinorah Figuera, who returned to Venezuela from exile in Spain on Wednesday. Figuera, a physician and member of the Primero Justicia party, leads the 2015-elected National Assembly, which the U.S. recognizes as the country's last democratically elected institution. The process has encountered internal resistance. Opposition leader María Corina Machado stated she was not consulted and was excluded from the talks, though she noted she would not obstruct them. Meanwhile, government figure Diosdado Cabello minimized the initiative, noting that various talks occur in the country regularly.
Timeline
- January 3Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. forces.
- JuneEarthquakes occurred in Venezuela, prompting one of the agenda items for the current talks.
- WednesdayDinorah Figuera returned to Venezuela from exile in Spain.
- ThursdayThe first face-to-face meeting between the government and opposition delegations took place in Caracas.
- Wednesday, August 12The delegations are scheduled to decide whether the plenary sessions will continue.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by MercoPress.
