Venezuela opposition, government aim to resume talks mid-September

The U.S.-facilitated dialogue aimed at achieving a transition in Venezuela is slated to resume in the second half of September, according to Dinorah Figuera, the chief negotiator for the opposition.

Figuera announced from Madrid that her delegation plans to return to the negotiation table starting September 15. While this date is tentative, the discussions are expected to cover crucial issues such as political and civil guarantees, as well as freedom of expression. The initial round of talks took place in Caracas from August 6 to 12.

That first round concluded with two significant agreements. One focused on the complete renewal of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), whose judges are accused of acting in service to the government. The second agreement concerned the recovery of overseas assets to address the emergency caused by earthquakes on June 24.

Figuera, leading a delegation of former deputies from the 2015 Parliament, described the agreement on renewing the TSJ as a "success" for her side, reiterating that the court's institutional reform was a primary objective. She added that a proposed reform of the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice "opens the door to a range of legislative possibilities" for advancing the process.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party, has presented a reform bill to modify a single article of the law. This change would increase the number of members on the Judicial Nominations Committee from 21 to 23, potentially enhancing civil society's participation. The proposal has passed its first reading and awaits a second debate before final approval. This would be the second reform of the TSJ law this year, following a May amendment that increased the number of magistrates on the highest court from 20 to 32.

Notably, opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are not participating in the current dialogue. Opposition members and NGOs continue to demand that electoral issues be included in the negotiations.

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