The Venezuelan government and opposition figures have begun US-backed talks in Caracas, marking a significant step towards a potential democratic transition in the country. The talks, which started on Thursday, are part of a three-phase plan by the United States to bring about stabilization, economic recovery, and democratic transition to Venezuela.

US Involvement

The US government has been instrumental in brokering the negotiations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the talks are not only about reconciliation but also about starting a transition process. The US Embassy in Caracas has welcomed the talks and expressed its commitment to supporting Venezuelan-led efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and promote a more stable and prosperous future for the people of Venezuela.

The government delegation is being led by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the current National Assembly and brother of acting president Delcy Rodríguez. The opposition bloc is led by former congresswoman Dinorah Figuera, who has had a long political career and was a key figure in the opposition movement led by Juan Guaidó between 2019 and 2023.

Key Issues

The talks are expected to cover three main points: responding to the deadly earthquakes in June, strengthening democracy, and guaranteeing political rights. The opposition has also expressed its desire to discuss the potential restructuring of the body that oversees the country’s elections to make it more credible and reliable, as well as reforms to the Supreme Court of Justice.

While some opposition leaders, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, are not participating in the talks, they have stated that they will monitor the discussions and hope they will lead to elections. Machado has been rallying support from allies around the world, including former US President Donald Trump, to whom she gifted her Nobel Prize.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.