Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has called for politics to move beyond public spectacle and focus on serious dialogue, amid exchanges with opposition leader María Corina Machado. Rodríguez urged Machado and her organisers to clarify their objectives, while calling for remorse from those who supported sanctions and external pressure against Venezuela. Machado, meanwhile, called for an independent and transparent justice system, arguing that poverty should not be criminalised. The remarks come as Venezuela pursues dialogue on political and judicial reforms, peaceful coexistence and the recovery of assets held abroad. The exchanges highlight continuing tensions over the country’s political future.