Protesters in Caracas demand transparency in opposition-government talks

Dozens of citizens gathered in Venezuela's capital on Wednesday, protesting the lack of transparency surrounding negotiations between the interim government and a sector of the opposition. The talks, which have U.S. backing and aim for a democratic transition, began Aug. 6 behind closed doors.

Protesters, frustrated by the secrecy, waved national flags and demanded public accountability from the opposition's representatives. "We want to hear her dialogue... We want her out here. We want political prisoners released, our salaries increased, and this problem solved. We have received absolutely nothing for ourselves," said Luis Antonio Correa, a 54-year-old security guard.

The negotiations occur seven months after Delcy Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency. This period has seen growing social discontent due to a lack of tangible progress in the economy and civil liberties. The process involves Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, for the government side, and Dinorah Figuera, leader of the opposition bloc elected in 2015. Notably absent from the talks is opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, who resides in exile in Panama.

At the close of six days of confidential sessions, the delegations convened a press conference to present a summary of the meetings. Before this, Figuera held separate meetings with families of political prisoners, retiree groups, and journalist union representatives, pledging to incorporate their demands into the formal dialogue agenda.