Government-opposition talks in Caracas: Jorge Rodríguez faces Dinorah Figuera, without María Corina Machado

According to Al Jazeera, the US-backed talks open Saturday in Caracas: National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez leads the government delegation and former lawmaker Dinorah Figuera the opposition's. María Corina Machado was left out; she said she will not block real progress but will judge success by freed prisoners and a set election date.

On Con El Mazo Dando, Diosdado Cabello celebrated Machado's exclusion. Juan Pablo Guanipa told NTN24 the US presence can make the difference. According to VPItv, Foro Penal counted 379 political prisoners as of July 27, with 14 new cases in a week.

«The presence of the United States can help make this not just another dialogue, another negotiation like the previous 17»— Juan Pablo Guanipa, July 29, 2026 · watch

«María Corina Machado was left out like the Guayabera, along with her 'scorpions' of the Panama Pact.»— Diosdado Cabello, July 30, 2026 · watch