US-backed talks begin between Venezuela interim government and opposition faction

US-backed negotiations between Venezuela’s interim government and a faction of the opposition commenced on Thursday, ending nearly a week of postponements, officials from both sides confirmed. The dialogue, facilitated by the United States, marks the first formal engagement since the country’s political crisis intensified following the disputed 2018 presidential election and the subsequent establishment of an interim administration in 2023.

The talks are intended to overhaul Venezuela’s political framework and set the conditions for future elections, which have been stalled for years amid accusations of fraud, sanctions and widespread unrest. Participants said the agenda includes drafting a new electoral law, guaranteeing the participation of all political forces and creating mechanisms to monitor the voting process. If successful, the negotiations could pave the way for a credible electoral calendar and a transition toward greater political stability in a nation long beset by economic hardship and social upheaval.