Felipe González urges Venezuelan opposition to show 'audacity' in dialogue

Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González has encouraged Venezuelan opposition representatives engaged in dialogue with the government to demonstrate "audacity" and maintain their focus on achieving democracy. González shared insights from Spain's own transition from dictatorship to democracy during a meeting with the delegation this past Friday.

Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015 National Assembly and leader of the opposition delegation, reported on the meeting, emphasizing the exchange of perspectives on Venezuela's political process and the lessons learned from Spain's experience. Figuera shared photographs from the gathering on social media, stating, "During the exchange, he shared reflections on the Spanish transition and the challenges we Venezuelans face. We expressed our democratic commitment."

González, who served as Prime Minister of Spain from 1982 to 1996, detailed his experience in guiding Spain toward a democratic system after the Franco dictatorship. The meeting also included National Assembly members Jorge Millán and Juan Miguel Matheus, along with Paola Bautista de Alemán, Vice President of Training and Programs for the Primero Justicia party.

This discussion occurs as the opposition delegation and government representatives make progress in negotiations supported by the United States. Two initial agreements were reached on August 12: one concerning the complete renewal of the Supreme Justice Tribunal (TSJ), an institution frequently criticized by the opposition for its government alignment, and another aimed at facilitating the recovery of Venezuelan assets held in the Bank of England for humanitarian aid related to earthquake victims. Notably, prominent opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are not part of these specific negotiations.