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Venezuela: Chavismo and opposition conclude first phase of U.S.-backed talks

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Venezuelan government and opposition factions are meeting on August 12, 2026, in Caracas to conclude the first phase of U.S.-backed political transition talks.
  • The discussions focus on political transition and addressing consequences of recent earthquakes, with potential reforms to the Supreme Court and National Electoral Council on the agenda.
  • The talks exclude key opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, while the U.S. supports the process as part of its plan for democratic transition.

Chavismo and a segment of the Venezuelan opposition convened in Caracas on August 12, 2026, to mark the conclusion of the initial cycle of U.S.-brokered talks. The dialogue, which commenced on August 6, aimed to navigate a path toward political transition and address the aftermath of earthquakes that struck on June 24, 2026.

The closed-door sessions at the Gran Meliá Caracas hotel also explored institutional reforms, including the potential restructuring of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) and the National Electoral Council (CNE). These bodies have faced accusations from opposition groups of being aligned with the government.

The delegations were led by Jorge Rodríguez, president of Parliament for the Chavista side, and former legislator Dinorah Figuera, representing the opposition. While a prior phone conversation occurred on August 1, prominent opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are not participating. Figuera's delegation includes former members of the National Assembly elected in 2015.

The parties seek to advance an agenda related to political transition and addressing the consequences of the earthquakes of June 24, 2026.

— EFEReporting on the key topics discussed during the dialogue sessions.

During the preceding days, the opposition team engaged with civil society representatives who advocated for the inclusion of issues such as freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners, and salary and pension increases. Both sides reportedly agreed on core principles, including good-faith negotiation, mutual respect, political equality, and the protection of human and political rights, with a commitment to verifying any accords reached.

Washington has voiced approval for the dialogue, viewing it as a component of its three-phase strategy for fostering a transition and democratic elections in Venezuela. The U.S. government frames the process as an opportunity to promote reconciliation and facilitate a transition within the country.

The U.S. government considers the conversations part of its three-phase plan to move towards a transition and democratic elections.

— EFEExplaining the U.S. government's perspective on the Venezuelan dialogue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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