# Venezuela democracy prospects improve after US-backed talks 2026-08-13T17:16:27+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet An initial round of negotiations between Venezuela’s regime and opposition ended on August 12th with a modest agreement to begin judicial reform, including of the Supreme Court, The Economist reports. Further talks could produce, by December, reforms that might allow fair elections. The US, led by secretary of state Marco Rubio, has been deeply involved. Mr Rubio has spoken directly to opposition lead negotiator Dinorah Figuera, whose team moves around Caracas with American security. Prospects for democracy appear to be improving, though problems abound. The ruling clique has often broken promises. Many Venezuelans are wary of American influence, and opposition leader María Corina Machado remains in exile. The US has not disclosed how much oil money it has collected or returned to Venezuela. Speed matters, the article notes, as delays could allow the regime to escape commitments. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: democracy, Marco Rubio, Nicolás Maduro, oil, US foreign policy, Venezuela Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/venezuela-democracy-prospects-improve-after-us-backed-talks/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/venezuela-democracy-prospects-improve-after-us-backed-talks/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.