Venezuela transition talks set to kick off without Machado
Venezuela is gearing up for the launch of U.S.-backed political transition talks on Aug. 1, but the absence of Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition figure Maria Corina Machado has left her base skeptical.
Leftists are meanwhile distrustful of a process, announced earlier this month, that only includes Washington-approved representatives.
Both political camps have been protesting ahead of the negotiations, which according to the U.S. State Department, will focus on rebuilding democratic institutions, strengthening the electorate and guaranteeing political participation.
Even before last month's devastating earthquakes that killed over 5,500 people, Venezuela was in a state of flux after U.S. forces deposed president Nicolas Maduro in January.
