Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives have concluded their first round of transition talks, a series of negotiations aimed at reconciling the nation following the removal of leader Nicolas Maduro from power. After six days of discussions, the two sides issued a joint statement on Wednesday outlining progress on two primary issues: the reform of the judicial system and the release of frozen funds to support recovery efforts following the devastating twin earthquakes on June 24.
Regarding the justice system, both parties committed to initiating a process to transform the judiciary, which includes specific reforms to the Organic Law of the nation's highest court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. The joint statement did not include references to the National Electoral Council, a body the opposition has expressed a desire to overhaul. In response to the June 24 earthquakes, which resulted in over 6,300 deaths, the sides agreed to work toward accessing international reserve assets belonging to Venezuela that are currently held at the Bank of England. The agreement also mandates the establishment of mechanisms to ensure transparency, traceability, and auditing of these funds to guarantee they are utilized appropriately.
The interim government was represented in the talks by Jorge Rodriguez, who also serves as the head of the National Assembly and is the brother of interim president Delcy Rodriguez. The opposition delegation was led by Dinorah Figuera, the head of the political bloc that secured a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, the last legislative body to be widely recognized by the international community. While exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado was absent from the discussions, she has stated she will not impede the process. Some commentators have suggested that US President Donald Trump vetoed Machado's return to the country, though Washington has denied these claims. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed satisfaction with the administration of Delcy Rodriguez.
Throughout the six-day negotiation period, Figuera held separate meetings with representatives of retirees, media workers, and political prisoners, vowing to advocate for their respective demands. Many citizens remain hopeful that these transition talks will eventually pave the way for democratic elections, a goal Figuera reiterated on X on Tuesday, stating, "We are in this process to achieve a democratic and free Venezuela."
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