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US-backed Venezuela talks set to begin as Machado stays out of negotiations

ByJustpaste.in

Negotiations aimed at reshaping Venezuela’s political system are expected to begin in the coming days with support from the United States, but the country’s most influential opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, will not take part in the discussions. The talks are intended to lay the foundation for future democratic elections and political reforms following major changes in the country’s leadership.

The dialogue will bring together representatives of Venezuela’s interim government and a faction of the opposition. Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly and an experienced negotiator, will head the government delegation. The opposition team will be led by Dinorah Figuera, who heads the opposition controlled National Assembly elected in 2015. That legislature continues to be recognised by the United States as Venezuela’s last democratically elected parliament.

Sources familiar with the process said Washington encouraged Figuera to lead the opposition delegation because of her position within the 2015 assembly. The United States has backed her group’s efforts to reform Venezuela’s electoral authority and judicial system in preparation for future elections that it says should be free and transparent.

Machado’s absence has attracted significant attention because she remains the country’s most popular opposition figure. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been living mostly outside Venezuela after spending months in hiding following the disputed 2024 presidential election. She recently announced plans to return to Venezuela to assist communities affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country in June, despite concerns expressed by some US officials about the timing of her return.

Reports suggesting that the Trump administration discouraged Machado from returning have been rejected by US President Donald Trump. Since the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro earlier this year, Machado has largely remained outside the political process promoted by Washington. US officials have argued that broader political support is needed to lead the country’s transition.

According to people familiar with the negotiations, Machado was either informed about the talks shortly before they were announced or was never invited to join the delegation because she is not a member of the 2015 National Assembly. Despite her exclusion, she has said she will not obstruct any effort that genuinely advances democracy. Machado has stated that she will judge the success of the negotiations by whether they restore democratic institutions, release political prisoners and establish a clear path toward credible elections.

Political analysts believe the negotiators face pressure to deliver meaningful progress quickly. They say any agreement must convince Venezuelans that the process is capable of producing real political change while addressing concerns over Machado’s absence from the discussions.

The interim government is expected to use the negotiations to seek the removal of remaining US sanctions. Washington has previously eased restrictions on Venezuela’s oil, gas and gold industries after agreements aimed at improving electoral conditions. Officials hope further progress could lead to additional sanctions relief as part of a broader political settlement.

Although the talks were initially scheduled to begin on August 1, sources close to both the government and the opposition said they are now expected to start on Sunday or Monday after the opposition delegation arrives in Caracas.

Previous negotiations between the opposition and the former Maduro administration produced limited results. An agreement before the 2024 election promised fair competition and full opposition participation, but Machado was later barred from running. International observers and the United States questioned the election outcome, arguing that opposition candidates received the majority of votes while state institutions declared Maduro the winner.

Some experts believe excluding Machado’s political movement leaves an important section of Venezuelan society without direct representation. However, they also note that divisions within the opposition have existed for years, making further splits unlikely.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States supports an inclusive political process and believes Machado represents a significant part of Venezuelan society. He stressed that Washington’s role is to facilitate negotiations rather than control them. Opposition figures also say US involvement provides reassurance because many political leaders have previously faced arrests and legal action that they describe as politically motivated. They believe continued international support will be essential if the negotiations are to produce lasting democratic reforms.

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    Pakistan will respond if India threatens water rights: PM Shehbaz

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    Diego Luna to receive Honorary Heart of Sarajevo for his lasting impact on cinema

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    Diego Luna, an actor known for an impressive string of standout roles throughout his career, is about to reach a significant milestone. The Sarajevo Film Festival has announced it will honor him with its prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award in 2026, recognizing what organizers describe as his lasting contribution to filmmaking. Luna, who earned widespread acclaim for his role in “Andor,” expressed genuine gratitude upon hearing the news. He shared that he has long wanted to visit Sarajevo, having heard glowing accounts from fellow industry colleagues about their experiences at the festival over the years. Beyond receiving the honor, Luna will also use the festival as a platform to showcase his latest project. The “Narcos: Mexico” star will present “Ashes,” marking his newest work as a director, to festival audiences. He described feeling honored by the recognition while also expressing excitement about finally sharing his directorial project with viewers. Festival director Jovan Marjanović spoke warmly about Luna’s artistic journey, recalling how the actor first captured audiences’ attention roughly twenty-five years ago through his breakout performance in “Y Tu Mamá También.” Marjanović noted that even then, it was clear they were witnessing the rise of an artist unafraid to explore new creative territory, someone capable of moving fluidly between blockbuster Hollywood projects and smaller, deeply personal stories rooted in Latin American culture. The festival director further praised Luna’s substantial body of work, describing its lasting influence on modern cinema and calling it a genuine privilege to present him with this honor. Luna first gained international recognition through Alfonso Cuarón’s coming-of-age drama “Y Tu Mamá También,” a role that launched him into the global spotlight. Since then, he has built an extensive filmography, collaborating with numerous respected filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Gus Van Sant, and Harmony Korine, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and accomplished performer. This year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, marking its 32nd edition, will run from August 14 through August 21, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world. Luna’s dual presence, both as an honoree and as a filmmaker presenting new work, positions him as one of the festival’s central figures this year, highlighting both his acting legacy and his evolving voice behind the camera.

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    Google releases Android 17 QPR2 beta 3 with new fe…

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    Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, also known as the QPR2 Beta 3 update, for eligible Pixel devices. The latest beta includes bug fixes as well as several new features and customization options. One of the biggest changes is a redesigned Quick Settings editor. The feature will allow users to arrange toggles and settings according to their preferences. Users can also choose which Quick Settings tiles appear in larger formats. Google is further expanding customization by allowing users to adjust the position of the brightness slider and media player. Additional theming options are also reportedly being prepared for the final release, including adjustable colour hues and more blur effects across different parts of the interface. The Android 17 Beta 3 update also introduces new call-protection features designed to help users avoid social-engineering scams. Additional confirmation dialogs may appear when users dial numbers associated with call forwarding, reducing the risk of unknowingly redirecting their calls to another number. The QPR2 Beta 3 update is currently available to eligible Pixel devices through the beta programme. While some features are already available for testing, Google is expected to introduce further improvements before the stable Android 17 release.

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