>VENEZUELA AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NEWS Venezuela’s interim government and opposition are sitting down to negotiate democracy’s future. On August 1, representatives of both sides will begin formal conversations aimed at strengthening democratic institutions after months of anticipation for such talks following Nicolás Maduro’s removal in January. The talks aim to develop “a bilateral technical and political roadmap that enables us to address the fundamental issues to consolidate the path toward the recovery of democracy in Venezuela,” Figuera said last week. She also thanked the United States for supporting the dialogues and for humanitarian aid delivered to Venezuela following the recent earthquakes. On July 16, the US State Department issued a statement welcoming the two parties’ commitment to negotiations, and it referred to the discussions as a “joint agenda,” while also applauding government and opposition representatives for taking “an important next step in the political reconciliation process.” Since Maduro was ousted in January, the Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized its three-stage plan in Venezuela—stabilization, recovery, and transition. The process that will begin on August 1 likely fits in with the second stage, and the announcement comes at a time when US officials have stressed the need for national reconciliation to move forward given the pivotal role it can play in Venezuela’s recovery. At the same time, US officials are leaving it up to the Venezuelan people to decide what that means. There is wisdom in this approach. Urging Venezuelans to lead this process is both appropriate and strategic, because any durable political transition will have to first be negotiated and accepted by the people who will have to live under it.
