by the El Reportero staff
A new political dialogue effort is underway in Venezuela after government and opposition representatives agreed to establish a joint technical and political working group aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and rebuilding national consensus.
The initiative emerged from a meeting in Caracas between Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera, president of the opposition-led legislature elected in 2015, which many opposition groups continue to regard as the country’s last democratically elected parliament. The meeting marked one of the most significant public contacts between the ruling movement and opposition representatives in recent years.
Following the meeting, both sides announced the creation of a parity-based technical and political committee that will develop an agenda with specific objectives and timelines.
According to a statement released after the meeting, the new body will work toward the strengthening of democracy, the consolidation of peace, and the search for a future of well-being and prosperity for Venezuelans.
Figuera, who recently returned to Venezuela after several years in exile in Spain, said her goal is to help address key institutional challenges facing the country. Upon arriving in Caracas, she stated that the process seeks to achieve “a credible National Electoral Council (CNE)” and conditions that would allow broader political participation.
The United States welcomed the meeting, describing it as an important step toward rebuilding democratic institutions. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington understands that the agenda includes priorities such as strengthening the electoral authority, restoring guarantees for political participation, and protecting civic freedoms necessary for open political debate.
Figuera also held talks with U.S. chargé d’affaires John Barrett, who has participated in international efforts aimed at supporting a negotiated political solution in Venezuela.
Despite the announcement, many Venezuelans remain skeptical. Previous rounds of negotiations between the government and opposition have often produced limited results. Critics argue that similar initiatives in the past have failed to bring meaningful political change. Supporters, however, maintain that keeping communication channels open is essential to achieving long-term stability and creating conditions for future electoral reforms.
Whether the new committee will produce significant results remains uncertain, but the agreement represents a rare moment of cooperation in Venezuela’s deeply polarized political landscape.
– Sources: Reuters, Venezuela National Assembly, El País.
