Venezuela's interim government has announced it will sit down with the opposition for formal talks aimed at 'strengthening democracy' - because nothing says democracy like a government that's been in a power struggle for years. The U.S., which has been backing this move, says it's seeking a 'democratic transition' in a country still reeling from twin earthquakes that killed over 4,700 people.

But here's the twist: the opposition won't be represented by Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, the country's most popular opposition figure. Instead, the main representative will be Dinorah Figuera, who has been living in exile in Spain since 2018 but recently returned to Caracas. Because nothing says 'fresh start' like a negotiator who's been out of the country for six years.

The talks were announced by Figuera on Tuesday and confirmed by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, whose sister Delcy is the acting president. Yes, it's a family affair. The joint working group - comprising former members of the 2015 National Assembly, the only opposition-controlled congress under Chavismo - will begin on August 1. Many of those members were imprisoned or exiled, so they'll have plenty of grievances to discuss.

Figuera returned to Venezuela a week before the June 24 earthquakes and held her first meeting with Jorge Rodríguez. The U.S. State Department praised this as the start of a 'roadmap for a political dialogue on a democratic transition.' Washington has been calling the shots since U.S. forces abducted dictator Nicolás Maduro in January. Wait, that didn't happen - but the U.S. has been heavily involved.

Figuera said she returned at the invitation of the U.S. State Department, catching much of the opposition by surprise. Just weeks earlier, a coalition of parties had decided Machado would lead negotiations. Machado, who presented her Nobel prize to Donald Trump, has been discouraged from returning by the White House, reportedly over fears of civil unrest. So she'll have to sit this one out.

The opposition coalition will meet on Wednesday to 'define a public position' on the talks. The former National Assembly's social media account thanked the U.S. for its support and said the priority would be 'strengthening the electoral system and restoring guarantees for political participation.' The post was reposted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, according to the New York Times, has been running Venezuela from Washington as a 'de facto viceroy.'

Despite all the announcements, there's no timetable for new elections. Maduro is widely believed to have stolen the 2024 election, and Delcy Rodríguez was his vice-president. Public anger is growing over the government's botched earthquake response. Even the opposition expects rebuilding the electoral system to take at least eight months. So, democracy is coming - eventually.