Venezuela’s Interim President Promises Elections at UN, Gives No Date

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has promised that the country will hold elections as part of a transition towards what she described as “full democracy”, but she did not announce a date for the vote.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Rodriguez said her administration had begun political dialogue with opposition groups and would seek to create conditions for all political forces to participate.

“I wish to state this very clearly before this General Assembly: Elections will be held in Venezuela,” Rodriguez said.

She said the Venezuelan people would determine the appropriate time for the electoral process to begin, while assuring the United Nations that the country’s institutions would be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent election.

Rodriguez’s comments came during her first address to the UN General Assembly since becoming Venezuela’s interim leader.

Reuters also reported that she said her government had initiated talks with the opposition and intended to guarantee participation by political forces.

Dialogue with opposition

Rodriguez said her government was working towards a political process based on equal conditions for all participants.

She described the country as entering a new phase and said rebuilding Venezuela would be a priority following the political and economic upheaval of recent years.

“Today, Venezuela is being reborn,” she told the international gathering.

She also cautioned that the recovery process would take time, saying there would not be an easy path ahead.

The announcement comes amid efforts by the interim administration to restore Venezuela’s international diplomatic and economic relationships.

Meeting with Trump

Rodriguez also met briefly with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

According to Reuters, the two leaders discussed the restructuring of Venezuela’s sovereign debt.

The meeting came as Washington and Caracas work to rebuild relations following the change in Venezuela’s leadership earlier this year.

Rodriguez thanked Trump for his willingness to resume relations with Venezuela and said the country was seeking to move forward after what she described as setbacks.

Her visit to the United States marks the first trip by a Venezuelan head of state to the country since 2018, when then-President Nicolás Maduro travelled to New York for the UN General Assembly.

Maduro remains in US custody

Rodriguez became interim president after US forces captured Maduro during a military operation in January and took him to the United States, where he is facing drug-trafficking charges.

Maduro is currently being held in the United States while awaiting trial.

Rodriguez’s appearance at the UN therefore represents a significant moment in Venezuela’s renewed engagement with the international community.

Her speech was closely watched because of the political transition taking place in Venezuela and the country’s changing relationship with Washington.

Concerns over election timetable

Although Rodriguez promised that elections would be held, she did not provide a timetable for the vote.

Her statement that the Venezuelan people would determine the “right moment” for elections leaves the timing of the process unclear.

The announcement has also drawn attention because critics of the interim administration have questioned whether Washington is placing sufficient emphasis on the restoration of competitive elections.

Reuters reported that Rodriguez said the government would guarantee participation by political forces and that national institutions were being prepared for the electoral process.

The United States has been involved in discussions with the interim government over Venezuela’s political transition as well as economic and energy matters.

Venezuela seeks international reintegration

Rodriguez’s appearance before world leaders also forms part of broader efforts to reintegrate Venezuela into international diplomacy.

During her visit to New York, Venezuelan officials have held discussions with international financial institutions and other governments on economic recovery, debt restructuring and investment.

Reuters reported that a Venezuelan delegation led by Rodriguez has been involved in discussions concerning energy,5 debt and other economic issues during the UN General Assembly.

Rodriguez said Venezuela was determined to rebuild despite the challenges facing the country.

“I do not promise you an easy way forward,” she said, adding that rebuilding the country’s “national soul” would be a priority.

The interim government has yet to announce when the promised elections will take place, leaving the next major step in Venezuela’s political transition dependent on further discussions between the authorities, opposition groups and other stakeholders.

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