US-Backed Venezuela Talks Set for Caracas Next Week

The government of Delcy Rodríguez and select political opposition members launched a U.S.-backed political dialogue on Saturday to establish a path toward a democratic transition. Following an initial telephone call, the parties agreed to hold in-person meetings in Caracas next week to develop a working agenda with verifiable objectives. The process follows the removal of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January and the appointment of Rodríguez as interim leader.

Negotiations will focus on reforms to the electoral system, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and legislation on political participation. Technical working groups will also coordinate the response to recent devastating earthquakes that killed over 5,500 people. While the talks aim to create the foundations for an election by December, the White House has resisted setting a strict timetable.

Government representative Jorge Rodríguez and opposition leader Dinorah Figuera are leading the respective delegations. However, the process excludes María Corina Machado, the country's most prominent opposition leader and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. While Machado expressed skepticism and noted she played no role in the design of the talks, she stated she does not oppose the negotiations and will judge the process based on concrete outcomes.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have supported the stabilization-and-recovery plan. Rubio emphasized that the United States intends to facilitate the process rather than dictate its terms.