Venezuela talks protesters demand transparency

Dozens of protesters rallied outside a hotel hosting Venezuela transition talks in Caracas on Wednesday, demanding more transparency from the authorities and parts of the opposition as the first round of US-backed negotiations was wrapping up.

AFP journalists observed the demonstration outside the venue. Protesters waved Venezuelan flags and chanted for opposition figure Dinorah Figuera to come outside.

Security worker Luis Antonio Correa, 54, told AFP that protesters wanted to hear Figuera's side of the talks. He also called for the release of political prisoners and salary increases.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez and Figuera have been representing the two sides since negotiations began last week. Many Venezuelans hope the talks between the interim government and parts of the opposition will lead to democratic elections.

Figuera has met separately with representatives of political prisoners, retirees and media workers during the talks and promised to advocate for their demands. She wrote on X on Tuesday that she was taking part in the process to seek a democratic and free Venezuela.

An opposition delegation source who requested anonymity said the delegation was pushing for judicial reforms, including an overhaul of the Supreme Court, which validated Nicolas Maduro's disputed 2024 election win. The source said they believed elections would only be announced after reforms lead to a new Electoral Council.

Exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado is not at the table and has said she will not stand in the way of the process. The opposition delegation source said the delegation viewed Machado as the leader of the Venezuelan opposition and as the voice Venezuelans identify as their own.