According to AFP report on August 2, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is under US control, stated in prison in New York that he ‘welcomes any way of dialogue’. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government and the opposition will initiate political dialogue with the US’ involvement. Whether this dialogue can change the political direction of Venezuela has attracted attention from the outside world.
Maduro's social media account posted on the 2nd that taking "national rejuvenation" as a common goal means discussing mutual respect. "We welcome any dialogue approaches that help strengthen peace, coexistence, and communication among Venezuelans." Maduro's son, Venezuelan congressman Nicholas Maduro Gara, subsequently shared this message.
According to sources cited in the report, Maduro is currently imprisoned in Brooklyn jail in New York. He is unable to read newspapers or use the internet, but is allowed to have up to 300 minutes of conversations with his family and lawyers each month, with each conversation lasting up to 15 minutes. He faces four charges, including 'drug terrorism'. The trial for Maduro is scheduled to begin in June 2027. Both Maduro and his wife deny the allegations.
The government and the opposition in Venezuela previously announced that they would engage in face-to-face political dialogue next week. This process comes approximately 7 months after Maduro was kidnapped by American military forces in January this year. After Maduro’s capture, Venezuelan Vice President Rodríguez took over power and has been governing under the influence of US President Trump’s administration.
However, the dialogue process was not without obstacles. Some pro-government figures believed that Rodrigues was governing with a gun pointed directly at their heads. The opposition leader Machado was not invited to participate in the dialogue; she stated that she would not join, but she also said she would not oppose the process.
