Political transition talks between Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives opened Thursday in Caracas, marking the start of a dialogue process that both sides say is aimed at restoring democratic institutions in the crisis-hit South American country. The discussions, held at the La Carlota military base in the capital, took place without press access and concluded without a public statement, though both delegations confirmed they will remain in continuous working sessions until 12 August, when they will assess how to proceed.

The talks come seven months after US forces seized then-president Nicolás Maduro, leaving interim leader Delcy Rodríguez governing under close Washington oversight. Representing the government is National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy's brother. The opposition delegation is led by Dinorah Figuera, who returned from exile in time to attend. Figuera heads the opposition bloc that won a majority in Venezuela's 2015 National Assembly — the last legislature whose election was broadly recognised as legitimate by the international community. She has called specifically for reforms to the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council, two institutions widely criticised for having validated Maduro's disputed 2024 presidential reelection, a result the opposition rejected, alleging widespread fraud.

Conspicuously absent is María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the opposition's most prominent figure, who remains in exile. Despite her popularity among Venezuelans and her having gifted her Nobel prize to US President Donald Trump, reports indicate Washington vetoed her inclusion in the talks — an allegation the US denies. Machado has said she will not obstruct the process, writing on X that