Chavismo and Opposition Continue Dialogue on Venezuela's Transition

Delegations representing Venezuela's government and a segment of the opposition convened for their second day of dialogue in Caracas on Friday, continuing discussions aimed at navigating the nation's political transition. The talks, which commenced formally on Thursday, are taking place without the involvement of prominent opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia.

Access for journalists to the hotel venue remained restricted, mirroring the previous day's limitations, with only photographers permitted entry. The reasons for these media constraints have not been publicly disclosed by either party. The negotiating teams, led by government negotiator Jorge Rodríguez and former legislator Dinorah Figuera for the opposition, have committed to concluding this initial cycle of talks by August 12.

“

respect for national sovereignty, good-faith negotiation and search for benefits for Venezuela, political, peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution, as well as mutual recognition and respect between the parties.

In a joint statement released via social media, both sides affirmed core principles guiding their discussions. These include respect for national sovereignty, a commitment to good-faith negotiation for Venezuela's benefit, and the pursuit of a political, peaceful, democratic, and constitutional solution. They also pledged mutual recognition and respect, political equality, verifiable fulfillment of commitments, and the protection of human rights and political freedoms for all factions.

Figuera, an advocate for the continuation of the 2015 Parliament, returned to Venezuela from Spain to participate. She is accompanied by former legislators Marco Aurelio Quiñones, Ramón López, Jorge Millán, Juan Miguel Matheus, Sergio Vergara, and Desiree Barboza. The government's delegation includes Minister of University Education Ana María Sanjuán, First Vice President of Parliament Pedro Infante, and deputies América Pérez, Génesis Garvett, and Jorge Arreaza, in addition to Jorge Rodríguez. The United States government has expressed satisfaction with the dialogue's initiation, viewing it as a significant contribution to Washington's three-phase plan for a transition to democratic elections.

“

political equality and parity treatment at the table, verifiable fulfillment of commitments, protection of human rights and political rights 'of all forces'.