US Warns Venezuela Over Election Delays and Institutional Reform
Washington, October 27: The United States has warned that Venezuela's democratic transition must succeed or the country risks armed conflict and a return to two decades of political repression. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington will not accept an indefinite postponement of elections by the interim leadership in Caracas.
Rubio described a process built on agreed timelines for institutional change. These timelines cover the country's electoral system and judiciary. The administration is using sanctions relief and economic incentives to move the reforms forward, while the longer-term aim is a peaceful transfer of power that would allow millions of Venezuelans who left the country to return.
Speaking to reporters during a teleconference, Rubio said that failure would produce a far worse situation. He warned of possible internal violence and armed confrontation, or a relapse into the conditions that, in his view, have harmed Venezuelans for the past 20 years.
The warning comes as the Trump administration continues to shape Venezuela's political and economic direction after a US operation on January 3 that led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.
Rubio said the interim authorities had kept to agreed deadlines despite obstacles created by an earthquake. He did not announce an election date, but said the reforms must be completed quickly.
The reforms under discussion include restructuring the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, known as the TSJ, and the National Electoral Council, known as the CNE.
Rubio said elections conducted through institutions inherited from the Maduro era would struggle to produce a credible democratic result. He questioned the impartiality of the electoral council, arguing that a body controlled by loyalists of one faction, with power to disqualify candidates, would raise doubts about the legitimacy of any vote. He also questioned judicial rulings that appear to favor the current leadership.
The United States, he said, still has substantial influence over Venezuela because of wide-ranging sanctions. Some oil-related transactions are allowed through special waivers and general licenses issued by the US Treasury, and those permissions could be reconsidered if the interim government does not meet its promises.
Rubio also addressed the possibility that Venezuela's leadership could stall talks until the Trump administration's time in office runs out. He dismissed that idea, saying, “No one is going to wait for us here.” He expressed confidence that the transition could be completed within the remaining period of his tenure.
On opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Rubio said Washington had held talks with the interim government weeks earlier to ensure her return could take place without obstacles. He said he understood she had entered Venezuela the previous day without difficulty.