US-backed democracy talks start in Venezuela without Nobel laureate Machado
The Venezuelan government met with opposition figures in Caracas on Thursday after days of delay, marking the start of US-backed talks aimed at steering the country toward a democratic transition. The United States looms large in the conversation, having brokered negotiations months after toppling Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The government delegation is being led by … The post US-backed…
On Thursday, Venezuelan authorities convened with opposition members in Caracas, kicking off US-backed discussions aimed at propelling the nation towards democratic change. The United States plays a significant role in these negotiations, having facilitated the talks following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. The government team is led by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, while Dinorah Figuera, a former congressman, spearheads the opposition side, which consists of former legislators from the 2015 National Assembly, previously deemed legitimate by the US.
Notably, opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, who are currently in exile, have declined to participate. Despite multiple attempts since 2013, previous meetings have not yielded tangible outcomes. This could be the first US-led dialogue, potentially different due to its direct US involvement. The talks aim to address three core issues: responding to the deadly earthquakes in June, reinforcing democracy and safeguarding political rights, and proposing reforms to the Supreme Court of Justice.
The process is expected to be lengthy, with a formal presentation anticipated in December. The US Embassy in Caracas has expressed its backing for the talks and commitment to bolstering democratic institutions, expanding political freedoms, and fostering a more stable and prosperous Venezuela. Brazilian analyst Carmen Beatriz Fernández, director of DataStrategia, emphasizes the US's substantial influence in this negotiation, stating that Washington is steering the process rather than the Venezuelan government.
However, Jorge Rodríguez maintains that the US-Venezuela relationship is grounded in diplomatic and commercial collaboration, not subjugation. US Director of the Latin America program at Chatham House, Christopher Sabatini, acknowledges the US's considerable sway over both parties through sanctions and other restrictions, as well as Figuera's appointment as the primary opposition delegate.
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