WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Venezuela is not yet prepared to hold national elections, though he praised what he described as significant progress under acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said conditions in the South American nation had improved but stressed that the United States believed more work was needed before credible elections could take place.
“As far as the elections in Venezuela, they’re not really ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made. Delcy’s been doing a fantastic job,” Trump said. He added that when Venezuela is ready to vote, “we’re going to be standing right on top of it.”
Trump’s comments come a month after representatives of Venezuela’s ruling party and opposition held their first formal talks since signing an agreement aimed at paving the way for presidential elections in 2024.
The political landscape in Venezuela shifted dramatically after President Nicolás Maduro, who was widely accused by critics of manipulating the electoral process, was taken into U.S. custody in January. Despite Maduro’s removal, Washington allowed Venezuela’s governing institutions to remain in place while refraining from announcing a roadmap for internationally supervised elections.
Trump’s latest remarks suggest the administration views the current transitional leadership as making progress, while maintaining that the country has yet to meet the conditions necessary for a free and fair democratic vote.
-Steve Nichols
