New York: Venezuela interim President Delcy Rodriguez has pledged that the country will hold elections as part of a transition towards ‘full democracy’, although she did not announce a specific date for the vote during her address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Speaking before the international forum, Rodriguez remarked her government had begun political dialogue with opposition groups to establish an electoral process based on equal conditions for all. Rodriguez stated that the Venezuelan people would determine the appropriate time to begin the electoral process, while assuring that national institutions would be prepared to support an inclusive and transparent vote.
Rodriguez assumed the interim presidency after a surprise US military operation in January resulted in the removal and transfer of former President Nicolas Maduro to the United States, where he is facing drug trafficking charges. Maduro is currently being held near the UN headquarters in New York as he awaits trial.
Rodriguez’s appearance at the UNGA marked her first visit to the United States and represented a significant step in Venezuela’s return to international diplomatic engagement. Her speech came as she sought to address both Venezuelans and the US administration, which currently holds her predecessor.
During her remarks, Rodriguez stated that Venezuela was recovering from the setbacks it had experienced during the year. She also thanked US President Donald Trump for his willingness to restore relations with Caracas following Maduro’s removal.
Rodriguez met Trump briefly on the sidelines of the UNGA, with discussions reportedly including the restructuring of Venezuela’s substantial sovereign debt. The interim government’s approach has drawn criticism from opponents who argue that Washington has reduced pressure for free elections while prioritising oil and investment agreements with Venezuela’s current authorities.
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