Dinorah Figuera, the president of the National Assembly elected in 2015, arrived in Venezuela from Spain this Wednesday to resume discussions with the Chávez regime as part of a democratic transition process supported by Washington.
The opposition delegation landed at the General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport in the eastern part of the country, including former deputies Marco Aurelio Quiñones, Juan Miguel Matheus, Ramón López, and Jorge Millán.
The group is expected to reach Caracas later that same night.
Framework for Democratic Transition
The negotiation process officially began on August 1 with a phone call between Figuera and Jorge Rodríguez, a representative of the Venezuelan government led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez. During the call, they agreed on a general agenda and the start of in-person meetings in the capital.
The work agenda focuses on three main areas: assisting the victims of the dual earthquakes on June 24, 2026, which caused over 6,125 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and left nearly 18,000 homeless; strengthening democratic institutions, including rebuilding the National Electoral Council and reinstating the Supreme Court of Justice; and ensuring political and civil rights.
Prioritizing Earthquake Victims
Regarding aid for the disaster victims, Figuera told El Diario: "This will have a priority agenda that acknowledges the affected area, the impact of this tragedy, how we will support the victims, and what we are committed to providing."
Figuera detailed that the process will continue until December 2026, at which point the complete outcome of the work will be formally presented.
U.S. Support and Political Context
The dialogue is part of a three-phase plan for Venezuela championed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: stabilization, economic recovery, and political reconciliation leading to democratic elections.
The U.S. State Department endorsed the process on August 3 through spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who stated that Washington is "confident this work can yield tangible results for Venezuelans."
Figuera publicly thanked Rubio for his support, and the official statement from the 2015 National Assembly remarked, "This beginning marks a new chapter in the fight to build a dignified future for all Venezuelans."
Unique Political Climate
The negotiations are occurring in an unprecedented political climate: Nicolás Maduro has been imprisoned in the United States since January 3, 2026, leaving the Venezuelan government under Delcy Rodríguez's leadership.
This is regarded as the ninth attempt at dialogue between the chavismo and the opposition, with the noteworthy element of explicit and active support from Washington.
María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia were excluded from the negotiation table, as Washington chose the 2015 National Assembly as the formal channel.
Both issued a statement of conditional support for the process, clarifying they did not participate in its "design, construction, and operation," and conditioned their backing on the release of political prisoners, the restoration of democratic institutions, and a presidential election timetable.
The State Department expressed satisfaction with the progress of the negotiations, emphasizing that the process "significantly contributes" to the three-phase plan for Venezuela's stabilization, economic recovery, and political reconciliation.
Key Aspects of the Venezuelan Negotiations
What are the main goals of the Venezuelan negotiation process?
The negotiations aim to address the needs of earthquake victims, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure political and civil rights in Venezuela.
Who is leading the opposition delegation in the talks?
Dinorah Figuera, president of the National Assembly elected in 2015, is leading the opposition delegation.
Why is the current political climate in Venezuela considered unique?
The political climate is unique because Nicolás Maduro is imprisoned in the U.S., and Delcy Rodríguez is leading the Venezuelan government, marking a significant shift in the country's leadership.