US-backed Venezuela talks to begin without Machado

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters): US-backed negotiations between Venezuela's interim government and a faction of the opposition will begin on Saturday, 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.