On Friday, July 3, Venezuela reached a critical constitutional deadline set by its own charter: the maximum 180-day period allowed for the temporary absence of the president. According to the opposition, this milestone necessitates declaring Nicolás Maduro's absolute absence and calls for new presidential elections.
Omar González Moreno, a national leader of Vente Venezuela, a party founded by María Corina Machado, highlighted in an interview with Tania Costa on CiberCuba that this deadline marks a crucial turning point for the nation's constitutional order.
"July 3 marks the expiration of the 180 days designated by Venezuela's Constitution to declare the president's absolute absence. Consequently, new elections must be called. There is no constitutional leeway to extend this any further," stated González Moreno.
The leader was unequivocal about the repercussions if Delcy Rodríguez continues to lead the government without elections being called: "After July 3, if she persists in leading the regime, the constitutional thread is broken, and we are effectively facing another dictatorship."
The constitutional countdown began on January 5, 2026, when the Supreme Court ordered Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency following Maduro's arrest in Caracas during Operation Absolute Resolution, a mission carried out by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026.
Maduro is facing charges of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking in a federal court in New York, where he pled not guilty on January 5, 2026, and is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
The NGO Acceso a la Justicia warns that Venezuela is entering "a realm of blatant and unprecedented unconstitutionality" as the deadline passes without action from the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has invoked the concept of "forced absence"—a term not recognized in the constitutional text—to avoid declaring Maduro's absolute absence and thereby circumvent the obligation to call elections.
González Moreno clarified that while the elections need not occur immediately, the call for them is urgent: "They must be announced, and hopefully, it will happen this year. The Venezuelan people demand it this year, and it is feasible."
He directly appealed to Washington's influential role in ensuring the Constitution is upheld: "Without its involvement, Maduro would likely not face justice in a New York court, as he wielded the republic's weapons to entrench himself in power, and the United States' decision was crucial in curbing that power."
He added, "At this juncture, the United States could complete the task by insisting that the Constitution be adhered to and elections be called at the earliest opportunity."
In this context, González Moreno mentioned the anticipated return of María Corina Machado to Venezuela, a move fraught with challenges: warnings from the Trump administration, temporary airspace closures by Rodríguez's regime, and Copa Airlines' refusal to transport her.
Experts consulted by Infobae suggest that the lapse of the 180-day period without the National Assembly declaring Maduro's absolute absence calls into question the legitimacy of Rodríguez's government, which faces a 63.3% disapproval rate, according to recent data.
Venezuela's Constitutional Deadline and Political Implications
What happens after the 180-day limit for a temporary presidential absence?
After the 180-day limit, the Venezuelan Constitution mandates that the president's absolute absence be declared and new presidential elections be called. Failing to do so can lead to a constitutional crisis.
How has the Supreme Court responded to Maduro's ongoing absence?
The Supreme Court has introduced the concept of "forced absence" to avoid declaring Maduro's absolute absence, a move seen as a means to bypass the constitutional requirement to call for new elections.
What role does the United States play in Venezuela's political situation?
The United States has played a decisive role by arresting Maduro under narcoterrorism charges, which has impacted his hold on power. U.S. involvement is also seen as crucial in enforcing the constitutional mandate for new elections.