The Daily Journal — Venezuela’s 2015-elected National Assembly announced on Tuesday the launch of a joint working agenda that will begin on August 1. Lawmakers presented the initiative as a roadmap “to promote stability, democracy, and national recovery.”
In a statement published on X, the opposition bloc said the initiative aims to mark “the beginning of building a new chapter that will lead Venezuela toward progress and freedom.”
The legislative body said the agenda will focus on “strengthening democratic institutions, reinforcing the electoral system, and restoring guarantees for political participation,” in line with the political negotiations that have taken shape in recent weeks.
The 2015 National Assembly argued that the humanitarian emergency caused by the earthquakes highlighted the need to move forward through institutional consensus.
“The emergency caused by the earthquakes has demonstrated the importance of acting with unity, responsibility, and a vision for the future,” the statement reads.
The Assembly also highlighted the support provided by the United States during the crisis and stated that “the response from the United States has reaffirmed that Venezuela is not alone.”
According to the statement, international assistance, recovery, and reconstruction “are all part of the same effort aimed at improving the well-being of the Venezuelan people.”
The 2015 National Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the agreed roadmap through “technical and institutional work that contributes to the country’s reconstruction.”
Finally, lawmakers expressed their gratitude to the U.S. government for its support during both the humanitarian emergency and the institutional recovery process.
“We express our gratitude to the Government of the United States for its steadfast support for the Venezuelan people, both in its immediate response to the humanitarian emergency and in its commitment to the efforts aimed at the country’s recovery, the consolidation of stability, and the strengthening of Venezuela’s democratic institutions,” the statement concludes.
Dinorah Figuera returns
On June 18, opposition leader Dinorah Figuera, acting as the representative of the lawmakers elected in 2015, returned to Venezuela after years in exile. She reached an agreement with National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez to establish a “parity-based technical and political working group” in preparation for a future political transition.
Figuera returned under a strategic plan developed directly by U.S. diplomacy. Upon arriving at Maiquetía International Airport, she explained that U.S. Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael Kozak had invited her to return.
According to the official statement issued by the National Assembly led by Jorge Rodríguez, the meeting resulted in the creation of “a parity-based technical and political working group with an agenda that includes concrete milestones and timelines to strengthen democracy, consolidate peace, and pursue a future of well-being and prosperity for all Venezuelans.”
Earlier, the opposition leader had stated that one of her main demands was the appointment of “a credible, strong, and trusted National Electoral Council.”
U.S. State Department backs the talks
Following the meeting between Rodríguez and Figuera, the U.S. Department of State voiced its support for the negotiations.
Washington said the negotiation agenda “includes key priorities such as rebuilding Venezuela’s democratic institutions, strengthening the National Electoral Council (CNE), restoring lasting guarantees for political participation, and safeguarding the civic freedoms that are essential to open political discourse.”
