U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the first official talks aimed at launching Venezuela’s democratic transition will begin during the first week of August, with August 1 expected to serve as the formal starting point.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing for the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, Rubio called the agreement “very good news” that had not received the attention it deserved.
“A group representing the 2015 National Assembly—the last Venezuelan legislature recognized by the United States as legitimate—met with the interim government and agreed to establish a framework and forum not only for reconciliation talks, but also to begin the transition process, which is what the Venezuelan people need,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s announcement follows a joint declaration between representatives of Venezuela’s 2015 National Assembly, led by Dinorah Figuera, and members of the current National Assembly headed by Jorge Rodríguez, brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
The two sides agreed to pursue a roadmap focused on restoring political stability, strengthening democratic institutions, and advancing Venezuela’s national recovery following the devastating June 24 earthquakes that deepened the country’s already severe humanitarian and governance crisis.
Figuera, who recently returned to Caracas after years in exile, has stressed the importance of national unity in the aftermath of the disaster. The proposed transition framework includes strengthening democratic institutions, modernizing Venezuela’s electoral system, and restoring guarantees for political participation. At this stage, opposition leader María Corina Machado is not part of the negotiations.
Rubio outlined what he described as a three-phase U.S. approach for Venezuela:
- Stabilization of the country following the humanitarian crisis.
- Economic recovery and reconstruction.
- A full democratic transition culminating in free and fair elections.
The United States has already committed more than $180 million in humanitarian assistance and signaled its willingness to expand support, including facilitating access to international financing for Venezuela’s reconstruction.
The agreement has generated cautious optimism among many Venezuelans, although divisions within the opposition remain and the country continues to face enormous challenges after the earthquakes, which killed thousands and caused widespread destruction in Caracas and La Guaira.
Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the process, stating:
“We will be very involved.”
Diplomatic sources indicate that both technical and political negotiations are expected to begin formally on August 1, marking what could become a significant milestone in efforts to end more than a decade of political and institutional crisis in Venezuela.
The initiative reflects a more pragmatic approach shaped by the humanitarian emergency and continued U.S. engagement in the region. Whether it succeeds will depend on the willingness of the Venezuelan parties to reach meaningful agreements and on sustained support from the international community.
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