U.S. brokers talks between Venezuela's old and new parliaments to speed transition

The United States has initiated a surprising negotiation between Venezuela's 2015 opposition-led parliament and the current Chavista legislature, aiming to expedite a political transition. This diplomatic effort appears to sideline prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been positioned as a key negotiator.

U.S. envoy Dinorah Figuera, president of the former National Assembly, met with Chavista legislator Jorge Rodríguez. The meeting, which occurred shortly after Figuera's arrival in Venezuela and her reception by U.S. diplomatic staff, established a "parity technical and political table with an agenda containing concrete milestones and timelines." According to a statement from the National Assembly, the agenda aims to "strengthen democracy, consolidate peace, and seek a future of well-being" for Venezuelans.

The U.S. State Department elaborated that the agenda includes crucial priorities such as rebuilding democratic institutions, strengthening the National Electoral Council, restoring guarantees for political participation, and securing civic freedoms for open political discourse. The department described the meeting as a "first step in what will be a reflective process to ensure a free and open Venezuelan society," expressing anticipation for further conversations in Caracas.

Figuera had previously indicated that the meeting's goal was to organize an agenda that would grant freedom of expression to Venezuelans and the media, and help resolve differences. She was previously subject to an arrest warrant on charges of usurpation of functions and the alleged theft of Citgo, the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company. Details of her meeting with U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Barrett were not disclosed.

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This is a first step in what will be a reflective process to ensure a free and open Venezuelan society.