2,5×more mentions of María Corina Machado on state TV this week · compared with its average this year
2×more mentions of dialogue or negotiation in opposition media · compared with the year's average, ahead of the August 1 talks
368political prisoners, according to Foro Penal · figure cited by Latin America Reports
Hundreds of Venezuelans marched in Caracas to demand elections and María Corina Machado's return, EFE reported. The union coalition protested outside the CNE; marchers called for an electoral timetable, the release of political prisoners and respect for the 2024 result, according to Latin America Reports, which cites 368 political prisoners counted by Foro Penal.
Machado did not appear on the street. In a video, according to Semana, she said the transition is coming and criticized Delcy Rodríguez's government's response to the double earthquake. At the union march, as broadcast by Efecto Cocuyo, speakers called for a new CNE and elections in 2026.
«How can it be justified that there are still political prisoners in the country?»— David Placeres, July 28, 2026 · watch
«What we want is for the National Electoral Council to be appointed»— Union coalition marcher (broadcast by Efecto Cocuyo), July 28, 2026 · watch
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At a PSUV press conference, Diosdado Cabello said chavismo goes to the dialogue called by acting president Delcy Rodríguez 'as a single bloc', demanded that lifting sanctions be on the table, and mocked 'that lady who wanted to come to Venezuela'.
On the opposition side, Patricia Poleo read the statement by Machado and Edmundo González as a break with the Trump administration. David Placeres said Washington chose Dinorah Figuera to lead the negotiation and that Machado lacks Trump's full backing, although she pledged not to obstruct the process.
«Look, this dialogue process that has been called has divided the opposition even more.»— Diosdado Cabello, July 27, 2026 · watch
«That statement is the announcement of the divorce of María Corina Machado and Edmundo González…»— Patricia Poleo, July 27, 2026 · watch
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NTN24 reported, citing flight-tracking sources, that a U.S. military plane took off from Andrews Air Force Base bound for Maiquetía airport. The channel did not identify the passengers and said they could be officials working on energy, logistics or military matters.
«a U.S. military plane known as a Gulfstream C37B»— NTN24, July 28, 2026 · watch
