Is Washington dictating the agenda for talks in Venezuela?

Venezuela's government and a segment of the opposition are preparing for talks, a process reportedly supported by the United States. This development follows a period of increased US involvement in Venezuela's political and economic affairs over the past seven months. The US influence reportedly began in January when President Nicolas Maduro was captured and taken to New York to face drug-trafficking charges. Currently, the US is said to control Venezuela's access to its oil revenues, which form the backbone of the country's economy. The US is also brokering negotiations between the Venezuelan government and various opposition groups, with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez providing backing. However, prominent opposition figure Maria Corina Machado has reportedly been sidelined from these discussions. The article raises questions about the potential outcomes of these talks and the specific objectives of the United States in this engagement. The discussion features insights from Elias Ferrer, an analyst specializing in political economy, Vanessa Neumann, founder and CEO of Asymmetrica, and Charles Shapiro, a former US Ambassador to Venezuela.