US-backed Venezuela talks to begin without opposition leader Machado

US-backed negotiations between Venezuela's interim government and a faction of the opposition will begin on Saturday (Jul 31), with the country's most prominent opposition leader absent.The talks, aimed at remaking the country's political system ahead of eventual elections, highlight Washington's unprecedented influence over Venezuelan politics since US President Donald Trump's administration removed Nicolas Maduro in a January raid and installed acting President Delcy Rodriguez.They will be led on the government side by Rodriguez's brother Jorge, the head of the National Assembly and a longtime negotiator at previous talks with the US and the opposition.The opposition delegation - which the US backs over efforts to overhaul the country's electoral council and top court to ensure free and