Venezuela begins US-backed transition talks in Caracas

US-backed political transition talks between Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives began Thursday in Caracas, seven months after US forces seized President Nicolas Maduro. The opposition is represented by Dinorah Figuera, who returned from exile, while the government is led by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The talks aim to restore democratic institutions and address the aftermath of June earthquakes that killed over 6,000. The US State Department urged support for a peaceful transition, though opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was not invited.