The Government of Venezuela and a part of the opposition have decided this Saturday to activate a new process of political dialogue that will begin next week with a meeting in Caracas, the capital of the country, after a first telephone contact held on Friday between the government coordinator of the conversations, Jorge Rodríguez, and the president of the National Assembly elected in 2015, Dinorah Figuera.
Both parties have separately disseminated details of this call, which will serve as the starting point for a negotiation focused on democratic transition, the strengthening of institutions, and the management of the aftermath of the double earthquake recorded on June 24.
According to the statement made public by the National Assembly of 2015, during the conversation the delegations agreed on the general agenda of the talks and established the holding of a first round of in-person dialogue in Caracas. Among the priority topics are the attention to the victims of the earthquake, the strengthening of democracy, and the political guarantees and rights of Venezuelan citizens.
The delegation appointed by the National Assembly of 2015 will be led by Dinorah Figuera and will include, in its technical political commission, Marco Aurelio Quiñones, Ramón López, Jorge Millán, Juan Miguel Matheus, and Sergio Vergara. In addition, it will have a support commission made up of Macario González, Desiree Barboza, Julio César Moreno, and Elimar Díaz.
The text concludes with an acknowledgment to the United States and its Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, "for the support of the transition in Venezuela," where "this beginning marks a new chapter in the fight to build a dignified future for all Venezuelans."
On the other hand, the current president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, has confirmed the telephone conversation with Figuera, whom he has described as "representative of a sector of the Venezuelan opposition," and has specified that the purpose of this initiative is "to initiate an inclusive and effective political dialogue process for the benefit of the country and the Venezuelans, and to join efforts in addressing the victims of the double seismic event of June 24."
Rodríguez has also pointed out that during the exchange both parties shared the composition of their respective delegations and agreed to hold the first in-person meeting in Caracas next week, establishing a roadmap with "clear and verifiable goals."
The representation of the Government of the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, will be formed by Jorge Rodríguez himself, who will act as coordinator, along with Ana María San Juan, Jorge Arreaza, América Pérez, Génesis Garvett, and Pedro Infante.
USA supports the dialogue process
From the United States, the Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Dylan Johnson, has celebrated the announcement of the beginning of this political dialogue process in a social media post, in which he has also expressed Washington's support for the opening of conversations between the Venezuelan government and this sector of the opposition.
In his message, Johnson has also reiterated the commitment of the United States to the initiatives driven by the Venezuelans themselves to strengthen democratic institutions, expand the space for political freedoms, and favor an outcome that contributes to the stability and prosperity of the country.
In the same vein, the U.S. representative has emphasized that Washington will maintain its support for efforts aimed at advancing towards a political solution led by Venezuelans, with the goal of ensuring a more stable future for Venezuela.