Politics & Governance
Venezuela talks end with justice and funds pledges
Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives wrapped up a first round of talks Wednesday, saying they had agreed to start work on justice-system reform and seek access to frozen funds for earthquake recovery.
A joint statement from the two sides said they would "initiate a process that contributes to the transformation of the justice system," including reforms to the law governing Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
The Supreme Tribunal validated Nicolas Maduro's disputed 2024 reelection, despite serious fraud allegations and no public release of official results. The joint statement did not mention the National Electoral Council, another body the opposition wants changed.
The talks followed the US ouster of Maduro and are aimed at reconciling the country. Many Venezuelans hope the transition process will lead to democratic elections.
The two sides also agreed to work toward the release of Venezuela's international reserve assets held at the Bank of England after twin earthquakes on June 24 left more than 6,300 people dead. The statement called for transparency, traceability and auditing mechanisms to ensure the funds are properly used.
Interim president Delcy Rodriguez's government was represented by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who also heads Venezuela's National Assembly. Delcy Rodriguez was Maduro's vice president and has led the country with Washington's blessing.
The opposition was represented by Dinorah Figuera, leader of the bloc that won a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, the last legislature elected in a vote widely recognised internationally.
Exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado was not at the table. She has said she will not stand in the way of the process.
Figuera wrote on X that she was taking part "to achieve a democratic and free Venezuela." An opposition delegation source, speaking anonymously, told AFP that the delegation believed elections would be announced only after reforms lead to a new Electoral Council.
Update
The joint statement said the sides agreed on justice-system reforms, including reforms to the Organic Law of Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
The statement did not mention the National Electoral Council, which the opposition also wants overhauled.
The sides agreed to work toward access to Venezuela's international reserve assets held at the Bank of England for earthquake recovery.
The statement called for transparency, traceability and auditing mechanisms for the use of the funds.
The June 24 twin earthquakes have left more than 6,300 people dead.
The interim government was represented by Jorge Rodriguez, brother of interim president Delcy Rodriguez and head of the National Assembly.
Opposition figure Dinorah Figuera represented the opposition bloc that won the 2015 National Assembly majority.
Maria Corina Machado was absent from the talks and has said she will not stand in the way of the process.
Source note: AFP news report published on 13 August 2026 at 01:17:35 UTC.
Update
Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives said they had wrapped up a first round of talks.
The sides said the talks were aimed at reconciling the nation after Nicolas Maduro's ouster.
The joint statement said they would work to access frozen funds held at the Bank of England after the June 24 earthquakes.
Source note: AFP news report published on 13 August 2026 at 00:30:22 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The timing of any future election remains unresolved.
The joint statement did not say whether or when the National Electoral Council might be overhauled.
Access to the reserve assets held at the Bank of England has not yet been secured.
Source
AFP news report published on .