Venezuelan opposition bloc agrees to US-backed transition plan

The main Venezuelan opposition coalition, the Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD), has expressed willingness to contribute to a peaceful transition in line with a US three-phase plan. The plan involves stabilization, recovery, and transition phases outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio Source: Infobae/EFE.

Five days after the US sent opposition figure Dinorah Figuera to Caracas to begin negotiations with the chavista-controlled Parliament, the PUD ratified its disposition to 'make possible a democratic, peaceful, and orderly transition' Source: El Nacional. The US chargé d'affaires, John Barrett, reiterated that the Trump administration would continue supporting 'a political reconciliation, a key element of the three-phase plan' Source: Diario Libre.

Figuera, who leads the 2015 parliament recognized by the opposition, aims to form a 'vigorous, credible, and transparent' National Electoral Council Source: Infobae. She acknowledged the task is not easy but thanked US accompaniment Source: El Nacional.

The PUD also analyzed the political situation and the status of political prisoners, stressing that Venezuela 'demands unity, responsibility, and vision of the future' Source: Diario Libre.

In a separate development, the PUD had previously proposed a negotiation led by María Corina Machado with US backing to restore democracy via a free election. However, chavismo rejected any negotiation with the mainstream opposition, especially with Machado .