United States seeks lasting democracy in Venezuela transition

United States officials have reiterated that Washington’s support for Venezuela extends beyond the mere holding of elections, emphasizing the need to establish a “lasting democracy” and a stable republic.

During a meeting with Dinorah Figuera, president of the National Assembly elected in 2015, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the country has a significant opportunity to recover its democracy after decades of political and social difficulty. Rubio noted that the goal is to build a system capable of maintaining long-term stability, governance, and prosperity, rather than just conducting a single vote.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott detailed a three-phase strategic plan consisting of “stability, recovery, and transition.” The transition phase includes elections, but officials stressed that such contests require specific conditions to be meaningful, including transparent vote counting, the ability for opposition parties to organize, and a free press. The U.S. continues to monitor discussions between representatives of the 2015 National Assembly and other sectors to advance the political roadmap.