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Rubio Lays Out 3-Phase Plan for Venezuela's Path to Free Elections
(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a House committee Wednesday that Venezuela faces a demanding three-stage road to democracy — spanning stabilization, recovery, and elections — following the US military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Rubio was unequivocal about the ultimate destination, even as he urged lawmakers to temper expectations on timing.
"The Venezuela that everyone wants for the future is not possible without free and fair elections," he said, while cautioning that a "date certain" for a vote cannot be announced until foundational conditions are met.
The Secretary of State outlined what he described as essential prerequisites that must be established during the "recovery phase" before any credible electoral process can take place — including the creation of an independent press, the formation of functioning political parties, and the establishment of a new electoral commission.
Pushing back against mounting impatience over the pace of progress, Rubio argued that the clock must be measured against the depth of the crisis Venezuela has endured.
"Five months is not a long time" for a nation to recover from trauma, he told the committee, adding that simply setting an election date without the necessary democratic infrastructure in place would be an empty gesture.
Despite the absence of a concrete electoral timeline, Rubio left no ambiguity about where the Trump administration ultimately intends to take the Venezuelan transition.
"Ultimately Venezuela's future is free and fair multiparty elections," he said.
Rubio was unequivocal about the ultimate destination, even as he urged lawmakers to temper expectations on timing.
"The Venezuela that everyone wants for the future is not possible without free and fair elections," he said, while cautioning that a "date certain" for a vote cannot be announced until foundational conditions are met.
The Secretary of State outlined what he described as essential prerequisites that must be established during the "recovery phase" before any credible electoral process can take place — including the creation of an independent press, the formation of functioning political parties, and the establishment of a new electoral commission.
Pushing back against mounting impatience over the pace of progress, Rubio argued that the clock must be measured against the depth of the crisis Venezuela has endured.
"Five months is not a long time" for a nation to recover from trauma, he told the committee, adding that simply setting an election date without the necessary democratic infrastructure in place would be an empty gesture.
Despite the absence of a concrete electoral timeline, Rubio left no ambiguity about where the Trump administration ultimately intends to take the Venezuelan transition.
"Ultimately Venezuela's future is free and fair multiparty elections," he said.
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