A fresh round of negotiations between Venezuela's interim government and the opposition is expected within about ten days, aimed at advancing a political transition in the country. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the talks, noting that Washington is working to accelerate the process, while President Donald Trump said Venezuela is "not yet ready" for elections, describing the situation as "very new." The interim government, led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez — who assumed power after former president Nicolás Maduro was arrested by a US security unit in Caracas in January — held its first round of dialogue with the opposition last month, and has also concluded an oil agreement granting the United States strategic oversight of roughly one-fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.