Venezuela launches dialogue with opposition at La Carlota air base
On 6 August 2026, the Venezuelan government and a sector of the 2015‑elected opposition met in person for the first time at the La Carlota air base in Caracas, marking the start of a formal dialogue process. The government side was led by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and chief negotiator for the chavismo, while the opposition delegation was headed by former deputy Dinorah Figuera.
Both delegations agreed to a first cycle that will remain in permanent session until 12 August 2026 and signed a joint statement outlining principles such as respect for national sovereignty, good‑faith negotiation, and protection of human and political rights. The agenda includes recomposing the National Electoral Council (CNE) to make it credible, reinstituting the Supreme Court, guaranteeing political and civil rights, and addressing the needs of victims of the 24 June double earthquake that killed more than 6,000 people.
The United States, through its Department of State, expressed support for the talks, calling them a “unique opportunity” and linking them to a three‑phase plan for Venezuela that aims at stabilization, economic recovery, and a democratic transition. Nobel laureate María Corina Machado was not invited to the inaugural meeting.
Entities: Delcy Rodríguez · Dinorah Figuera · Jorge Rodríguez · La Carlota air base · María Corina Machado · National Assembly of Venezuela · National Electoral Council (CNE) · United States · United States · United States Department of State · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 25 SOURCES] The first in‑person meeting took place at La Carlota air base. (first in‑person meeting at La Carlota air base on 6 August 2026)
- [● 25 SOURCES] Jorge Rodríguez is the chief negotiator for the chavismo and president of the Parliament. (Jorge Rodríguez serves as chief negotiator for the chavismo and president of the National Assembly)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The dialogue includes addressing the needs of victims of the June 24 double earthquake that killed more than 6,000 people. (dialogue will address needs of victims of the June 24 double earthquake (>6,000 dead))
- [● 24 SOURCES] Dinorah Figuera led the opposition delegation. (Dinorah Figuera headed the opposition delegation representing the 2015 Assembly)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The United States has a three‑phase plan for Venezuela: stabilization, economic recovery, and democratic transition. (US three‑phase plan for Venezuela)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The United States described the talks as a “unique opportunity”. (US called talks a “unique opportunity”)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The United States expressed support for the start of in‑person dialogue, calling it a “unique opportunity”. (Multiple articles)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The dialogue meetings began in Caracas with representatives of the chavismo and the 2015‑elected National Assembly. (The first in‑person talks in Caracas involved chavismo officials and the 2015 National Assembly delegation.)
- [● 24 SOURCES] The first dialogue cycle will run in permanent session until 12 August 2026. (first dialogue cycle in permanent session until 12 August 2026)
- [● 24 SOURCES] The agenda includes reform of the National Electoral Council, reinstitution of the Supreme Court, and guarantees of political and civil rights. (agenda: reform CNE, reinstate Supreme Court, guarantee political and civil rights)
- [● 13 SOURCES] The 24 June double earthquake in Venezuela caused more than 6,000 deaths and extensive damage. (new)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Nobel laureate María Corina Machado was not present at the inaugural dialogue meeting. (multiple)