Political talks on Venezuela’s transition of power are set to begin on Saturday, August 1, under a process backed by the United States. However, the absence of Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado has raised concerns among her supporters and deepened skepticism across the country’s political spectrum.
Left-wing groups have also criticized the initiative, arguing that only representatives approved by Washington have been invited to participate. According to the US State Department, the negotiations will focus on rebuilding democratic institutions, improving the electoral system, and ensuring broader political participation.
The talks come as Venezuela continues to face political uncertainty following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in January. Since then, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been serving as interim president while remaining under close US scrutiny.
Ahead of the negotiations, both pro-government and opposition groups staged demonstrations. In eastern Caracas, around 300 supporters of Machado called for the country’s future to be decided through free and democratic elections.
Former lawmaker Williams Dávila, 74, expressed optimism, saying Venezuelans hope the process will lead to fair and democratic elections.
Machado, a key ally of exiled opposition leader González Urrutia, has pledged to return to Venezuela but was not invited to join the upcoming talks. While she said she does not oppose the negotiations, she confirmed that she would not participate.
Her recent decision to present her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump has not eased her path back to Venezuela. Some analysts believe Washington has complicated her return, although the Trump administration has denied those claims.
President Trump has repeatedly expressed satisfaction with the interim leadership of Delcy Rodríguez and has continued to view Venezuela as a country within the sphere of US strategic influence.
