Venezuela government and opposition to hold talks aimed at path to election

The Venezuelan government and a segment of the opposition are initiating U.S.-backed talks to establish a path toward future elections. Notably, prominent opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been excluded from these proceedings.
Why it matters
These negotiations are critical for the political stability of Venezuela and the potential normalization of relations with the United States following recent leadership changes.
Talks to be led by former lawmaker Dinorah Figuera as opposition figure Maria Corina Machado left out of proceedings.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado take part in a protest in Caracas [Miguel Gutierrez/EPA] By AFP and Reuters Published On 31 Jul 2026 31 Jul 2026 The Venezuelan government and a segment of the opposition are to kick off United States-backed talks aimed at paving the way for eventual elections.
Noticeably absent from the negotiations will be one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado , who has not been invited to attend.
The proceedings, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday, come nearly seven months after the US military’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The talks have riled both conservative supporters of Machado and opposition leftists alike.
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