Venezuela govt, opposition wrap up round of post-Maduro talks

CARACAS: Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives concluded a first round of talks on Wednesday aimed at reconciling the nation after the US ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The two sides agreed on reforming the judiciary and seeking access to frozen funds for earthquake relief efforts. Both sides committed to initiating a process to transform the justice system, including reforms to Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), which validated Maduro's 2024 re-election despite fraud allegations.

The talks also addressed the release of Venezuela's international reserve assets held at the Bank of England, which Maduro's administration had repeatedly tried to access unsuccessfully. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, representing the government, was accompanied by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly.

The opposition was led by Dinorah Figuera, leader of the political bloc that won a majority in the 2015 National Assembly. Notably absent was exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado. The talks were held at a hotel in Caracas, drawing dozens of opposition supporters who compared the interim government to Nicaragua's oppressive administration.

While some commentators believe the US president has vetoed Machado's return to Venezuela, the US denies this. The opposition delegation expressed hope for democratic elections and reforms to address terrorism and dissent laws that have been used to persecute political prisoners.