Venezuela government rules out negotiations with opposition leader Machado

Caracas, Venezuela – Venezuela's government has firmly stated that no negotiations are currently being considered with the opposition, and particularly not with prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado. Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister and Secretary General of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), dismissed recent calls for dialogue as "pure straw" or lies.

The statements come as the opposition coalition, the Unitary Platform (PUD), along with its leaders Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, have been advocating for "serious, firm, and responsible" negotiations with the government. They seek to restore democracy through presidential elections, with accompaniment from the United States.

Cabello asserted during a weekly PSUV press conference that "nothing is planned" with the PUD, and "even less so" with Machado. He denied any meetings have taken place globally between the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, and any opposition figures, adding that the opposition is not in a position to dictate terms within the country.

Machado, however, has consistently maintained her position as the rightful leader for any negotiation process. In a recent interview, she emphasized her "responsibility to direct the negotiation process" with Rodríguez's government, viewing it as the most viable path for Venezuela, which she described as being in an "unsustainable" situation. She warned that "anything can happen" if a transition is not managed in an orderly, peaceful manner with guaranteed participation from all parties.