Venezuela's government and a group of former opposition lawmakers opened U.S.-backed talks in Caracas on Saturday, beginning a new attempt to strengthen democratic institutions and restore political rights after years of confrontation. The meeting brings together representatives of the pro-government National Assembly and former members of the opposition-controlled legislature elected in 2015, according to the Associated Press.
National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, leads the government side, while former lawmaker Dinorah Figuera represents the opposition group. Figuera returned to Caracas in June after almost eight years in exile and met Rodríguez nearly seven weeks before Saturday's session. U.S. officials have described Washington's role as facilitating rather than directing the process.
The agenda is expected to include the electoral system, guarantees for political participation, civil liberties and the conditions needed for a future vote. The U.S. State Department said it supports free media, a transparent electoral council, secure polling places and the transformation of protest movements into political parties. No election date has been announced, and analysts cited by AP said a credible vote would follow a lengthy process rather than occur immediately.
The talks follow the capture of then-president Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces in January. Washington subsequently outlined a three-stage approach centered on stabilization, recovery and an eventual democratic transition. Venezuela has also held four unsuccessful dialogue processes between 2017 and 2024, leaving many citizens cautious about whether new negotiations can produce enforceable agreements.
The country's recovery from two powerful earthquakes on June 24 adds urgency to the discussions. Venezuela's latest official report says the disasters killed more than 5,500 people, injured 16,700 and left over 20,000 without homes. Negotiators have said they will seek national unity as reconstruction continues, while the State Department has acknowledged the difficulty of preparing elections during that recovery.
The immediate test will be whether the participants can agree on concrete institutional guarantees and rebuild public confidence. AP reported cautious optimism among Venezuelans, but political specialists stressed that democratic transition requires the restoration of expression, press, assembly and association rights. Further meetings and measurable changes to electoral administration will determine whether this round advances beyond earlier failed efforts.
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