Venezuelan Negotiations Begin Amid Cautious Optimism
Venezuelans approach a new round of talks between the government and the opposition with caution. Following numerous failed negotiations, these discussions aim to create a joint agenda to strengthen democracy and restore fundamental rights after nearly three decades of socialist rule.
The talks involve members of Venezuela’s current National Assembly, dominated by the government, and former opposition legislators who previously attempted to remove former President Nicolás Maduro. The United States is mediating the discussions.
“I hope the government understands we can’t move forward with arbitrary actions, and they need to respect agreements,” said Soraida Martínez, a 58-year-old homemaker. “Both sides must compromise for the nation’s good.”
The initial meeting occurs almost seven weeks after a gathering in Caracas between the legislative president, Jorge Rodríguez, and former deputy Dinorah Figuera, who briefly returned to Venezuela after almost eight years in exile. The initiative was largely pushed by Washington.
Figuera has stated that the priority is to develop an institutional agenda beyond the political interests of Venezuela’s various organizations, reflecting the approach proposed by the Trump administration.
Following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces in January, Trump’s government introduced a three-phase plan for Venezuela. The plan aims for stabilization, recovery, and democratic transition. It highlights rebuilding Venezuela’s democratic institutions, strengthening the National Electoral Council (CNE), and ensuring lasting guarantees for political participation and civic freedoms crucial for open political debate, as noted by the U.S. Department of State after the Rodríguez-Figuera meeting.
The negotiators also plan to unite the nation in tackling the severe consequences of two earthquakes on June 24, which claimed over 5,500 lives, injured 16,700, and left more than 20,000 homeless, according to the latest official report.
Figuera was chosen in 2023 to represent the former opposition legislators of the 2015 National Assembly, widely regarded as Venezuela’s last democratically elected institution.
Despite the failure of four previous dialogue attempts between 2017 and 2024, many hope for a successful negotiation, given Venezuela’s unprecedented political situation following Maduro’s removal (2013-2026) and U.S. influence on Rodríguez’s government. There is optimism about reaching minimal agreements to improve the country’s condition.
Analysts, however, suggest that transitioning to democracy remains distant, emphasizing that a free election will conclude a lengthy process. They note that setting an electoral calendar and conditions appears far off.
“The transition to democracy doesn’t start with dialogue but begins with recognizing and restoring violated guarantees,” said John Magdaleno, a political consultant and professor at Andrés Bello Catholic University.
According to Magdaleno, before progress can happen, civil liberties and political rights must be restored. This includes freedom of opinion, expression, the press, assembly, association, and protecting private communications, along with other human rights safeguards.