The United States along with 19 countries and the European Union met February 15 to reaffirm their commitment to a Venezuelan-led negotiated solution to restore democracy in Venezuela. The participants welcomed the EU Election Observation Mission’s work and the importance of the comprehensive and incremental dialogue and negotiation framework launched on August 13, 2021, in Mexico City, as important steps to shape a common understanding of conditions needed to foster credible, inclusive, and transparent legislative and presidential elections – the latter at the latest in 2024 – and to confirm their support for an inclusive, diverse, and unified democratic opposition in Venezuela. Full Text -> USDoS

Traducción de cortesía -> Estados Unidos junto con 19 países y la Unión Europea se reunieron el 15 de febrero para reafirmar su compromiso con una solución negociada liderada por Venezuela para restaurar la democracia en Venezuela. Los participantes acogieron con beneplácito el trabajo de la Misión de Observación Electoral de la UE y la importancia del marco de diálogo y negociación integral e incremental lanzado el 13 de agosto de 2021 en la Ciudad de México, como pasos importantes para dar forma a una comprensión común de las condiciones necesarias para fomentar un diálogo creíble, inclusivo y elecciones legislativas y presidenciales transparentes –estas últimas a más tardar en 2024– y ratificar su apoyo a una oposición democrática inclusiva, diversa y unificada en Venezuela.

El Grupo EMFI prevé un “estancamiento político” en 2022 en Venezuela. Considera que la oposición tiene “las cartas en contra” y espera que la idea de unas primarias presidenciales dominen su agenda política interna. Texto Completo -> VOA

The arrest is a poignant reminder of the fragility of political progress in Venezuela. Despite signs that Maduro is more willing to cooperate with Western forces, he claimed just two weeks ago that the CIA and U.S. military were planning to assassinate him. Skepticism remains on both sides. The E.U. was quick to note that its election commission was visiting Caracas purely on an exploratory basis before November’s poll. “We don’t want to validate an election that doesn’t deserve it,” an E.U. diplomatic source warned. “There’s still a long way to go to normalization.” By Caleb Loughrin. Full Text -> TheOrganizationforWorldPeace

Gerardo Blyde, representative of the unitary platform of the Venezuelan opposition, assured last Friday that a second phase of the political dialogue process that takes place between the opposition led by Juan Guaidó and the regime of Nicolás Maduro will soon begin. In this new stage, both parties must sit at the table to discuss the points established in an agenda that has been built between both parties with the mediation of the Norwegian government. By OnVenezuela

When EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the first time in Brussels, he handed Blinken the first draft of a joint initiative on Venezuela. The draft was sent back and forth across the Atlantic to hash out the final version published on June 25, with the announcement that the EU, US and Canada would ease sanctions as long as transparent elections are held. In the joint statement, the signatories ask Caracas for a reform plan in which Maduro commits to holding democratic elections, with a progressive lifting of sanctions in return. It is the core piece of the new EU-North American strategy on Venezuela. By Yolanda Monge, Alonso Moleiro y Bernardo de Miguel. Full Text -> ElPaís

The negotiations will test an incremental strategy espoused by a moderate opposition wing led by former Miranda state governor and ex-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who is eclipsing hardliners embodied by prominent exile Leopoldo Lopez and his protege in Venezuela, Juan Guaido. The moderates advocate participating in elections however flawed and resolving day-to-day problems on the ground, even if that means working with Maduro. The Lopez-led camp has long pursued an all-or-nothing strategy manifested by an electoral boycott. By Patricia Garip. Full Text -> ArgusMedia

Mr. Guaido told reporters that the committee traveling to the United States and Europe is the same group that has been meeting with officials from Norway in recent weeks in an attempt to establish a dialogue with President Nicolas Maduro’s government,which stands accused of vote-rigging and rights violations. By Vivian Sequera, Luc Cohen. Full Text -> TheHindu

While all this occurs in the political sphere, the negotiation formula needs to include the third sector (civil society organizations, NGOs, foundations, academia, and so on) which is widely weakened. Besides a new CNE, the country needs to articulate a civil society that monitors, evaluates and corroborates that the population’s needs are being considered. The third sector acts as part of the checks and balances that could speak for the social sphere. By Mikhael G. Iglesias L. Full Text -> CaracasChronicles

Maduro said he agrees with Norwegian mediation but he mentioned his demands: lifting all sanctions, recognizing his authorities and illegitimate public powers and access to accounts and funds abroad: “You want to negotiate? These are my conditions and we’ll go wherever you want.” By Naky Soto. Full Text -> CaracasChronocles

Canada could help bring a more flexible Cuba to the Venezuelan negotiating table—and a more flexible Cuba could mean a more flexible Venezuela By Carlos Rodríguez López. Full Text -> CaracasChronicles