Human Rights, Justice & Society
Venezuela journalists denounce talks restrictions
A Venezuelan journalists' union on August 7 denounced restrictions on press access during US-backed political transition talks between the interim government and parts of the opposition.
Media workers protested one day after the talks began, objecting to a decision to give access only to photographers and to what they described as a lack of information.
Journalist Deisy Martinez said security forces confiscated her equipment, raised the possibility of arresting her and eventually let her go after deleting photos she had taken.
The National Union of Press Workers lodged a complaint with the opposition delegation. The union wrote on X that delegation members rejected what had happened and expressed solidarity with journalists.
“We insist on the need to ensure transparency and timely, free and non-discriminatory access for journalists and media to activities related to the dialogue process,” the union said.
The Washington-backed talks are set to continue until August 12. A joint statement said they aim to find a “political, peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution” to Venezuela's political limbo.
The talks began seven months after US forces removed Nicolas Maduro from power. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has been governing under intense US pressure. Supporters hope the dialogue will eventually lead to elections.
Update
Venezuela's National Union of Press Workers denounced press restrictions during the transition talks.
Media workers protested after only photographers were granted access to the negotiations.
Journalist Deisy Martinez said security forces confiscated her equipment, raised the possibility of arresting her and deleted her photos before letting her go.
The journalists' union lodged a complaint with the opposition delegation, which the union said rejected what happened and expressed solidarity.
The talks are set to continue until August 12.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 August 2026 at 01:08:12 UTC.
Update
The first session of the Caracas transition talks ended with the parties saying they had agreed to good-faith negotiations.
The parties said they would seek a political, peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution.
The agenda figure for the June 24 earthquakes is now described as more than 6,000 dead.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 August 2026 at 01:51:49 UTC.
Update
The talks began Thursday at La Carlota military base in Caracas.
The US State Department welcomed Dinorah Figuera's delegation for the start of in-person talks.
Only photographers were granted access to the venue.
Maria Corina Machado was not invited to the talks and was absent.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 20:58:28 UTC.
Update
Venezuela's political transition talks have started.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 20:20:01 UTC.
Update
Dinorah Figuera arrived from Spain on Wednesday for the first round of talks with the government.
The official agenda released by both sides includes the response to the June 24 twin earthquakes, strengthening democracy and political rights.
The earthquake death toll is now given as more than 6,000.
Figuera said the dialogue process seeks the restoration of democratic institutions.
Figuera has called for changes to the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 00:19:25 UTC.
Update
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are being held in a New York detention center awaiting trial on drug and firearms trafficking-related charges, and both have pleaded not guilty.
Venezuela's interim government and opposition leaders are expected to begin in-person political transition talks in Caracas in the coming week.
National Assembly head Jorge Rodriguez said the timing was agreed after a phone call with opposition figure Dinorah Figuera.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is not taking part in the talks but has said she will not obstruct the process.
Jorge Rodriguez said the talks will address post-earthquake assistance, the reinforcement of democracy and political rights.
June earthquakes in Venezuela killed more than 5,500 people.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 20:21:13 UTC.
Update
Maduro's message came ahead of a US-backed meeting planned for the coming week between representatives of Venezuela's interim government and opposition leaders.
The message said dialogue should help consolidate peace, coexistence and reconciliation among Venezuelans.
Maduro is imprisoned in New York after his capture in a US military operation in January.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 19:36:37 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The full rules governing media access to the talks are not detailed in the supplied material.
The account of the equipment confiscation and deleted photos is attributed to Deisy Martinez.
Source
AFP news report published on .