Venezuela talks begin without opposition leader Machado

US-backed talks between Venezuela's interim government and a faction of the opposition began on Saturday, aiming to remake the country's political system ahead of eventual elections. The negotiations follow the January capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by US forces and his transfer to New York on drug trafficking charges. The talks are led by Jorge Rodríguez, head of the National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera, representing the opposition-dominated 2015 assembly cohort still recognized by the US as the last democratically elected legislature Source: AP News, CNA. Notably absent is Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, the country's most popular opposition figure, who has been sidelined by Washington Source: CNA, Ground News.

US role

Washington says it aims to facilitate, not dictate, the process. The State Department stated, "We are there to help facilitate, not dictate, a reconciliation process through which the will of the Venezuelan people can be expressed" Source: AP News. The US has proposed a three-phase plan: stabilization, recovery, and democratic transition Source: Ground News.

Regional ties

Separately, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic agreed to work towards restoring diplomatic relations, severed after the Dominican Republic criticized Maduro's 2024 re-election as fraudulent. They have agreed on a roadmap for "gradual normalisation" of ties Source: Al Jazeera, SCMP.

Key points

• The talks focus on strengthening democracy and restoring rights after nearly three decades of socialist rule Source: AP News.
• Negotiators will call for national unity following two earthquakes on June 24 that left over 5,500 dead and 20,000 homeless Source: AP News.
• The interim government will push for remaining US sanctions to be lifted Source: CNA.
• Machado said she would not stand in the way of "real progress" but will evaluate success based on restoration of democratic institutions, freeing political prisoners, and scheduling elections Source: CNA.