Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, promising forthcoming elections in Venezuela but refraining from setting a specific date. She took the opportunity to challenge the traditional notion of democracy in front of the gathered delegates.
“Democracy isn’t defined merely by the occurrence of elections. It’s characterized by the quality of the competition leading up to those elections,” Rodríguez declared from the General Assembly podium.
She assured that the Venezuelan government intends to “ensure real conditions for participation for all political forces in the country” and mentioned that a political dialogue with opposition sectors has already begun to facilitate a process that offers equal conditions for everyone involved.
Despite these assurances, Rodríguez intentionally left the timing of the elections vague: “The Venezuelan people, with their ancestral wisdom, will decide the right moment, and our institutions will be ready to ensure an inclusive and transparent process.”
Meeting with U.S. Delegation
Rodríguez’s speech at the UN followed a meeting with President Donald Trump at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan, marking the first face-to-face interaction between a U.S. president and a Venezuelan leader in over a decade.
The closed-door meeting included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and advisor Stephen Miller.
Rubio described the meeting as “brief yet significant,” noting that discussions centered on the restructuring of Venezuela’s sovereign debt, economic stabilization, and a political transition toward free and fair elections.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia González called the meeting “the beginning of a new phase in Venezuela-U.S. relations.”
Context of U.S.-Venezuela Relations
This diplomatic engagement is part of a rapid normalization process between Caracas and Washington, initiated after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, an event that led Rodríguez to assume her current role as acting president.
In late August, Trump announced an oil deal granting North American Blue Energy Partners rights to 17 Venezuelan fields containing about 65 billion barrels of proven reserves.
Washington has stipulated that full normalization depends on elections that are internationally observed, with a free press and a legitimate National Electoral Council (CNE). Rubio made it clear: “We aim for a lasting republic with a functioning economy.”
Opposition Demands and Legal Reforms
Key figures from the main opposition, María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, remain outside the formal dialogue table. They demand the release of political prisoners, concrete electoral guarantees, and the return of exiles before endorsing any process.
During her speech, Rodríguez also announced an “orderly legal reform” to strengthen the state, calling the justice system reform “unavoidable” and urging the international community for “accompaniment” without any “interference” in Venezuelan affairs.
The promise of elections without a set date contrasts with Rubio's demand for them to happen “as soon as possible,” provided there is enough preparation time, a free press, a legitimate CNE, and international observation.
Key Questions on Venezuela's Political Future
What did Delcy Rodríguez promise at the UN?
Delcy Rodríguez promised that Venezuela would hold elections, emphasizing that democracy is about the quality of pre-election competition rather than just holding elections.
What was discussed in the meeting between Delcy Rodríguez and Donald Trump?
The meeting focused on the restructuring of Venezuela’s debt, economic stabilization, and a political transition towards free and fair elections.
What conditions has Washington set for full normalization with Venezuela?
Washington requires elections with international observation, a free press, and a legitimate National Electoral Council for full normalization.