Venezuela's interim government began formal talks with opposition representatives on Thursday (August 6), marking the most substantive step toward dialogue since the ouster of Nicolas Maduro seven months ago.

Government officials met with an opposition delegation led by Dinorah Figuera at a convention center in Caracas to discuss earthquake relief, democratic reforms, political rights, and preparations for eventual elections. The U.S.-backed talks, originally scheduled for August 1, are being led on the government side by National Assembly head Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of acting President Delcy Rodriguez and a veteran negotiator.

Figuera, who returned from exile in Spain in June, heads a faction linked to the opposition-dominated 2015 National Assembly, which Washington still recognizes as Venezuela's last democratically elected legislature.

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela's most prominent opposition figure, is not participating, though she has said she will not block "real progress." Edmundo Gonzalez has also remained outside the process. The government is expected to seek relief from remaining U.S. sanctions.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS OF CONVENTION CENTER WHERE TALKS BETWEEN VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION

2. (MUTE) VARIOUS STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION FIGURE DINORAH FIGUERA MEETING WITH VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT JORGE RODRIGUEZ

INTERNET (AUGUST 6, 2026) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - Access all) (MUTE)

3. VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT JORGE RODRIGUEZ' POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA X READING (Spanish): "National dialogue begins with opposition former lawmakers from the 2015 National Assembly."

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 6, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. TRAFFIC IN CARACAS

5. BOARD WITH PHOTOGRAPH OF OUSTED VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO AND HIS WIFE CILIA FLORES

6. TRAFFIC IN CARACAS

7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING

8. VARIOUS OF CARACAS CITY SKYLINE

ISTANBUL, TURKEY (ARCHIVE - JUNE 8, 2026) (TURKISH PRESIDENCY - Access All)

9. TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN AND VENEZUELA'S INTERIM PRESIDENT DELCY RODRIGUEZ POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH AT GATE

10. RODRIGUEZ SHAKING HANDS WITH OFFICIALS

11. VARIOUS OF RODRIGUEZ AND ERDOGAN SHAKING HANDS AND POSING

12. RODRIGUEZ AND ERDOGAN SEATED IN MEETING

NEW DELHI, INDIA (ARCHIVE - JUNE 4, 2026) (DOORDARSHAN - No use India) (MUTE)

13. RODRIGUEZ AND INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI SHAKING HANDS OUTSIDE HYDERABAD HOUSE

14. RODRIGUEZ AND MODI WALKING BACK INSIDE GOVERNMENT PALACE

MADRID, SPAIN (ARCHIVE - JULY 30, 2024) (REUTERS - Access all)

15. VARIOUS OF PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELAN PARLIAMENT IN EXILE AND POLITICAL REFUGEE DINORAH FIGUERA WORKING ON COMPUTER

LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA (ARCHIVE - JUNE 18, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

16. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION FIGURE DINORAH FIGUERA ARRIVING AT SIMON BOLIVAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN LA GUAIRA

17. FIGUERA SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS UPON HER ARRIVAL IN THE COUNTRY

18. VARIOUS OF FIGUERA LEAVING THE AIRPORT

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (ARCHIVE - JUNE 18, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

19. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, JORGE RODRIGUEZ, AND FIGUERA MEETING AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY