US welcomes first meeting between Venezuela's government and opposition in three years, hails transition agenda
The United States welcomed a meeting in Caracas between Venezuela's National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez and opposition figure Dinorah Figuera, the first public rapprochement in nearly three years, aimed at democratic transition.
Meeting details
On Thursday, June 18, Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, met with Dinorah Figuera, a former opposition lawmaker, in Caracas. The encounter was the first public rapprochement between the ruling party and the opposition in nearly three years, since the two sides signed a deal to hold the 2024 presidential elections. Figuera, who presided over the 2015 opposition-led legislature's delegated commission, returned to Venezuela that same day after spending some seven to eight years in exile in Spain. Neither participant disclosed extensive details, but the National Assembly described the meeting as a platform to promote "the strengthening of democracy and the consolidation of peace."
A credible National Electoral Council where the vote of Venezuelans can be expressed freely is essential.
Political context after Maduro's capture
The talks unfold nearly six months after Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas in January 2026 and transferred to New York to face drug-terrorism charges. Delcy Rodríguez, his former vice‑president and sister of Jorge Rodríguez, became acting president. President Donald Trump stated that Venezuela was under U.S. control after Maduro's removal. The U.S. administration designed a stabilization and transition plan that includes direct engagement with the government and the opposition, bypassing opposition figure María Corina Machado in favor of Figuera, whom the State Department designated to lead negotiations. U.S. diplomatic personnel received Figuera at Simón Bolívar International Airport upon her return.
US endorsement and agenda
The U.S. quickly welcomed the meeting. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott outlined an agenda that includes rebuilding democratic institutions, strengthening the National Electoral Council (CNE), reestablishing durable guarantees for political participation, and securing essential civic freedoms for open political discourse.
The U.S. understands that this agenda includes key priorities such as rebuilding Venezuela's democratic institutions, strengthening the CNE, reestablishing durable guarantees for political participation, and securing essential civic freedoms for open political discourse.
Joint technical-political table
After the meeting, the National Assembly announced the creation of a "mesa técnica y política paritaria" (a joint technical and political table) with an agenda of "concrete milestones and timelines" aimed at strengthening democracy, consolidating peace, and seeking a future of well-being and prosperity for Venezuelans. Figuera had earlier told reporters at the airport that she would meet with U.S. chargé d'affaires John Barrett and Rodríguez, underscoring the international backing for the process.
- Nicolás Maduro captured in US operation; Delcy Rodríguez becomes acting president.
- Dinorah Figuera returns from exile, meets Jorge Rodríguez; National Assembly announces joint technical-political table with concrete milestones.
