Venezuela’s First Big Talk After Years

The United States praised a meeting in Caracas that brought together Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera, a former opposition lawmaker. They discussed how the country might move toward a democratic future and how to make its elections fairer, especially by strengthening the National Electoral Council. This conversation was a landmark because it was the first time leaders from the ruling party and the opposition had spoken openly in almost three years. The two sides had only signed a plan to hold elections in 2024, but this meeting marked the start of real dialogue.Figuera, who had left Venezuela for Spain in 2013 and returned after nearly seven years, did not reveal many details. Rodriguez, who is the brother of the acting president Delcy Rodriguez, also kept the discussion private. The National Assembly said the talk was about building a platform for democracy and peace, but did not share specifics. The U. S. said it sees this meeting as a step toward restoring democratic institutions in Venezuela. The United States also hopes the talks will help ensure that people can participate in politics and speak freely. The U. S. State Department highlighted the importance of rebuilding institutions, protecting political participation, and securing basic civic freedoms for open debate. The conversation is seen as a hopeful sign that Venezuela might begin to repair the damage done by years of political tension.