Venezuelan government and opposition to hold US-backed talks

Caracas announced on Monday that the Maduro administration and a faction of the Venezuelan opposition will convene a series of negotiations aimed at easing the country’s political deadlock, an effort that will be supported by the United States. The talks, scheduled to begin later this month, involve representatives from the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and a coalition of opposition leaders who have broken away from the broader Democratic Unity Roundtable to pursue a more pragmatic dialogue. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington will provide logistical assistance and act as a guarantor for any agreements reached, though they stopped short of committing additional sanctions relief.

The initiative follows months of stalled negotiations and a deepening humanitarian crisis that has prompted international calls for a political solution. Both sides have indicated that the agenda will focus on the release of political detainees, the restoration of electoral credibility, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Observers note that the U.S. backing could lend credibility to the process but also risk further polarizing factions that remain skeptical of external involvement. If successful, the talks could pave the way for a transitional framework and set the stage for future elections, offering a potential pathway out of Venezuela’s prolonged instability.