Venezuela interim government, opposition to begin formal talks on August 1

WASHINGTON — Venezuela's interim government and opposition are preparing to negotiate the country's democratic future. On August 1, representatives from both sides will begin formal talks aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, following months of anticipation for such discussions after Nicolás Maduro's removal in January.

The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June have underscored the urgency of strengthening governance and institutional capacity. According to the United Nations, the earthquakes resulted in over five thousand lives lost, many more missing, severe displacement, and an estimated $37 billion in damage. The tragedy has heightened the need for broad-based political agreements to provide the certainty required to attract investment critical to the country's reconstruction.

Why the August Meetings Matter

Jorge Rodríguez, current president of the National Assembly and brother of interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, will represent the interim government side. Dinorah Figuera will lead the talks for the opposition. Figuera served as president of the 2015 National Assembly, the first and only opposition-controlled congress since the Chavismo era began in 1999. The United States recognizes it as the last legislature elected under free and fair elections.

Figuera had fled Venezuela in 2018 following threats and harassment. She returned to the country earlier this year, facilitated by the US State Department, and met with Jorge Rodríguez. That initial meeting appears to have catalyzed the formalization of the process announced on July 14.

The talks aim to develop "a bilateral technical and political roadmap that enables us to address the fundamental issues to consolidate the path toward the recovery of democracy in Venezuela," Figuera said last week. She also thanked the United States for supporting the dialogues and for humanitarian aid delivered to Venezuela following the recent earthquakes.

On July 16, the US State Department issued a statement welcoming the two parties' commitment to negotiations, referring to the discussions as a "joint agenda," while also applauding government and opposition representatives for taking "an important next step in the political reconciliation process."

Little else is publicly known about what this process entails or what the official agenda will include. However, Figuera has already identified several topics she aims to discuss with the government:

• Restoring democratic legitimacy to the country's political institutions
• Naming a new electoral authority and a new supreme court
• Guaranteeing civil and political rights and freedom of expression

She has also shared that both sides will contribute twelve delegates to this process to hash out specifics on these agenda items, and that the parties intend to reach milestone agreements in the next five months, before the end of the calendar year.

What Role the US Should Play

Since Maduro was ousted in January, the Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized its three-stage plan in Venezuela: stabilization, recovery, and transition. The process that will begin on August 1 likely fits in with the second stage. The announcement comes at a time when US officials have stressed the need for national reconciliation to move forward, given the pivotal role it can play in securing democratic gains.