US-backed Venezuela talks set to begin as Machado stays out of negotiations

Negotiations aimed at reshaping Venezuela’s political system are expected to begin in the coming days with support from the United States, but the country’s most influential opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, will not take part in the discussions. The talks are intended to lay the foundation for future democratic elections and political reforms following major changes in the country’s leadership.

The dialogue will bring together representatives of Venezuela’s interim government and a faction of the opposition. Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly and an experienced negotiator, will head the government delegation. The opposition team will be led by Dinorah Figuera, who heads the opposition controlled National Assembly elected in 2015. That legislature continues to be recognised by the United States as Venezuela’s last democratically elected parliament.

Sources familiar with the process said Washington encouraged Figuera to lead the opposition delegation because of her position within the 2015 assembly. The United States has backed her group’s efforts to reform Venezuela’s electoral authority and judicial system in preparation for future elections that it says should be free and transparent.

Machado’s absence has attracted significant attention because she remains the country’s most popular opposition figure. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been living mostly outside Venezuela after spending months in hiding following the disputed 2024 presidential election. She recently announced plans to return to Venezuela to assist communities affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country in June, despite concerns expressed by some US officials about the timing of her return.

Reports suggesting that the Trump administration discouraged Machado from returning have been rejected by US President Donald Trump. Since the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro earlier this year, Machado has largely remained outside the political process promoted by Washington. US officials have argued that broader political support is needed to lead the country’s transition.

According to people familiar with the negotiations, Machado was either informed about the talks shortly before they were announced or was never invited to join the delegation because she is not a member of the 2015 National Assembly. Despite her exclusion, she has said she will not obstruct any effort that genuinely advances democracy. Machado has stated that she will judge the success of the negotiations by whether they restore democratic institutions, release political prisoners and establish a clear path toward credible elections.

Political analysts believe the negotiators face pressure to deliver meaningful progress quickly. They say any agreement must convince Venezuelans that the process is capable of producing real political change while addressing concerns over Machado’s absence from the discussions.

The interim government is expected to use the negotiations to seek the removal of remaining US sanctions. Washington has previously eased restrictions on Venezuela’s oil, gas and gold industries after agreements aimed at improving electoral conditions. Officials hope further progress could lead to additional sanctions relief as part of a broader political settlement.

Although the talks were initially scheduled to begin on August 1, sources close to both the government and the opposition said they are now expected to start on Sunday or Monday after the opposition delegation arrives in Caracas.

Previous negotiations between the opposition and the former Maduro administration produced limited results. An agreement before the 2024 election promised fair competition and full opposition participation, but Machado was later barred from running. International observers and the United States questioned the election outcome, arguing that opposition candidates received the majority of votes while state institutions declared Maduro the winner.

Some experts believe excluding Machado’s political movement leaves an important section of Venezuelan society without direct representation. However, they also note that divisions within the opposition have existed for years, making further splits unlikely.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States supports an inclusive political process and believes Machado represents a significant part of Venezuelan society. He stressed that Washington’s role is to facilitate negotiations rather than control them. Opposition figures also say US involvement provides reassurance because many political leaders have previously faced arrests and legal action that they describe as politically motivated. They believe continued international support will be essential if the negotiations are to produce lasting democratic reforms.