Venezuela's interim government to begin formal talks with opposition members on August 1
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The interim administration will hold talks with a group of former opposition lawmakers starting Aug. 1, focusing on democratic reforms and post-earthquake reconstruction.
Venezuela's interim government announced that formal negotiations with a delegation of former opposition legislators will commence on Aug. 1. The talks were presented jointly by the opposition group and Jorge Rodríguez, who leads the government-controlled National Assembly, and are said to address reconstruction after the June 24 earthquakes that killed at least 4,734 people.
Jorge Rodríguez said unity was needed to rebuild the country and maintain peace. The opposition, represented by Dinah Figuera – who returned from exile in June – said the United States had shown support after the quakes, indicating that "Venezuela is not alone."
"Only through unity can we move forward with reconstruction and maintain peace," Rodríguez said.
The opposition team, composed of former National Assembly members elected in 2015, said the dialogue would prioritize strengthening democratic institutions, reforming the electoral system and guaranteeing political participation. Figuera told reporters she had come to Venezuela at the invitation of the U.S. State Department to advocate for a renewal of the National Electoral Council, which has been dominated by Maduro loyalists.
The discussions occur amid ongoing political repression; a prisoners' rights group reports that 372 opposition detainees remain incarcerated. Prominent opposition figure María Corina Machado has not been able to re-enter the country, while U.S. officials have described her attempted return as potentially disruptive to rescue efforts.