US-Backed Political Transition Talks Begin in Venezuela
Formal negotiations for a political transition in Venezuela are scheduled to begin on August 1, 2026, under the supervision of Washington. The talks, led by National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez and opposition figure Dinorah Figuera, aim to establish a roadmap for new elections. This comes amidst ongoing protests and the absence of Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado, who remains skeptical of the process following the January arrest of Nicolas Maduro.