The key facts
- Rubiо called 2027 the 'ideal' year for elections but did not guarantee they will occur before the end of Donald Trump's term
- Conditions include reforming the Supreme Court and National Electoral Council, restructuring the military, and addressing a debt exceeding $200 billion
- Negotiations between Venezuelan authorities and the opposition, mediated by the US, are ongoing; a reformed Supreme Court is expected by mid-December
Elections Without Guarantees
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that presidential elections in Venezuela should ideally be held in 2027, but he refused to guarantee their holding before the end of Donald Trump's presidential term. He made this statement in an interview with The New York Times, as reported by Anadolu; the same was reported by Life.ru. According to Rubio, Washington intends to facilitate the country's transition to democratic governance, but before setting an election date, Venezuelan authorities must carry out a series of reforms.
Washington's Conditions and Negotiation Timeline
Among key priorities, Rubio mentioned reforming the composition of the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council of Venezuela, restructuring security forces, and advancing the restructuring of the state debt, which, according to publications, exceeds $200 billion. A source within the US government explained to the newspaper that debt restructuring is also crucial for the eventual lifting of extensive American sanctions; otherwise, creditors may seek to seize Venezuelan assets. According to Rubio, negotiations between Venezuelan authorities and the opposition, mediated by the US, are already underway: a reformed Supreme Court is expected by mid-December, and discussions on appointing new members of the electoral council are scheduled for next week. He also emphasized that for the stability of any future government, the support of the armed forces is essential: 'You need the support of security forces in any country in the world, because that is what you will need to govern.'
Military Cooperation and Caracas' Position
Rubio supported expanding military cooperation between Washington and Caracas, including a possible agreement on legal protection for American military personnel operating in Venezuelan territory. The governments have not yet discussed this issue in detail, but according to the Secretary of State, closer cooperation could enhance the capabilities of Venezuelan forces. Context: On January 3, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured; Trump stated that the administration would 'govern' Venezuela and its oil assets during the transition period. On January 5, then-Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. Earlier, Life.ru reported that Rodríguez confirmed her intention to hold presidential elections in accordance with the Constitution under the supervision of reformed electoral bodies, though she did not specify an exact election date. Thus, a specific timeline was mentioned for the first time by the US administration, but it remains tentative.
