Venezuela interim government and some opposition figures plan democracy talks

Venezuela's interim government will launch formal talks with some opposition members next month, assembly speaker Jorge Rodriguez announced Tuesday, more than six months after the US toppling of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

Rodriguez said on Telegram that a joint working group with opposition figures would begin on August 1 “for the purposes of strengthening democracy.” He said unity was needed to move forward with reconstruction and to maintain peace.

The announcement followed meetings in Caracas by exiled opposition figure Dinorah Figuera, who traveled there shortly before the June 24 twin earthquakes that devastated parts of Venezuela. During the US-backed trip, Figuera met Jorge Rodriguez, the brother of interim president Delcy Rodriguez. The meetings had raised hopes of movement toward a democratic transition, but the earthquakes appeared to slow the process.

Official figures say the earthquakes killed more than 4,700 people, left thousands more unaccounted for, destroyed scores of buildings and damaged hundreds more. The government said the Legislative Palace suffered significant damage, and lawmakers held a session Tuesday in another building.

Figuera leads a group representing Venezuela's 2015-2020 legislature, which was controlled by the opposition and was recognized by Washington as the country's legitimate legislative body over a rival parliament loyal to Maduro. In a statement on X, Figuera said she would work to promote a bilateral technical and political roadmap to consolidate a path toward recovering democracy in Venezuela.

Figuera also shared a statement from opposition figures saying the talks would prioritize strengthening democratic institutions, the electoral system and guarantees for political participation.

Maria Corina Machado, described in the report as the undisputed opposition leader for many Venezuelans, had not commented on Figuera's initiative. The report said she has so far been sidelined by the United States during Venezuela's transition, with Washington making clear that stability is its first priority.

After Machado was barred from running in the 2024 elections, she backed opposition senator Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia against Maduro. The opposition's tally showed a clear win for Gonzalez Urrutia, while Maduro claimed victory with support from only a handful of countries, including Russia. Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado later went into exile.

Maduro is now behind bars in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges. Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado are calling for new elections. The report said Washington has shown little support for Machado returning to Venezuela, while President Donald Trump has praised Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former deputy, who has appeared willing to comply with his agenda.