Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, assured on Wednesday that the nation will hold elections, but she tied the timing to when the country is "ready," without providing a specific timeline.
These remarks were made at Miraflores Palace in Caracas during a press conference alongside U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who was in the Venezuelan capital to sign new oil agreements with Chevron and Eni.
Rodríguez’s Vague Assurance
Rodríguez stated, "I have worked tirelessly to ensure Venezuela is ready and prepared for its electoral process when the time comes. There will be an electoral process, rest assured, but only under the conditions that Venezuela is prepared for it," she told reporters.
When pressed further about the election schedule, Rodríguez remained non-committal: "Venezuela has a Constitution and an electoral system framed within it. However, I do not set dates."
Criticism of Extremists and Sanctions
Rodríguez also took aim at those she labeled as "extremists": "The path where extremism sees no benefits in these tremendous energy agreements; the path where intolerance has dictated relationships; the path where hatred blinds one to the other."
Regarding sanctions, she added, "We continue to work with authorities to ultimately lift the sanctions system so that Venezuela's economy and social development can proceed without any hindrance."
Echoes of Trump's Rhetoric
Notably, Rodríguez’s rhetoric closely mirrored that of Donald Trump, who had spoken hours earlier from the Oval Office.
"I don't think they are ready yet. It's very recent. We've moved them out of a dictatorship, and we're getting along well with the government. Delcy, as you know, is doing a very, very good job. She is highly respected. We want elections, and so do they. Delcy wants them, but they're not ready yet," Trump stated.
Both figures employ a similar reasoning: postponing elections indefinitely, tying them to an undefined prior economic stabilization.
Trump and Rodríguez agree that economic recovery, through oil deals, must precede any political transition.
Constitutional Context Overlooked by Rodríguez
Rodríguez’s stance contrasts with the Venezuelan Constitution, which mandates a maximum of 180 days for temporary incumbency—a deadline that expired in July 2026, seven months after Nicolás Maduro's capture—and requires elections within 30 days of a permanent presidential vacancy.
The backdrop of the oil deal also sparks debate.
Trump described it as "historic" last week, granting the United States control over the exploitation of 17 oil fields that hold nearly a fifth of Venezuela's crude reserves.
Chevron confirmed plans to expand its operations with over $7 billion in investment over five years.
Critics accuse Washington of prioritizing oil access over genuine democratization in Venezuela.
Machado Demands a Concrete Timeline
On Thursday, opposition leader María Corina Machado—2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, currently in exile in Panama—offered a more concrete stance.
"What citizens demand right now is that alongside economic reforms, we strengthen our institutions and, above all, establish an electoral timeline where we can come together as a nation to elect a new president; and nothing will stop us until we achieve that," Machado declared in a video from Panama, as reported by EFE.
Machado was clear in her assessment: "The transition to democracy has not yet occurred."
The dialogue between the Venezuelan government and a sector of the opposition, facilitated by Washington, began in August 2026 and is set to resume in October.
Frequently Asked Questions about Venezuela's Political Situation
What did Delcy Rodríguez say about the timing of elections in Venezuela?
Delcy Rodríguez stated that elections will occur when Venezuela is "ready," but did not provide a specific timeline.
How does the Venezuelan Constitution address the timing of elections?
The Venezuelan Constitution mandates elections within 30 days in the event of a permanent presidential vacancy and limits temporary incumbency to 180 days.
What is the controversy surrounding the recent oil agreements?
The oil agreements, described as "historic" by Trump, have been criticized for prioritizing U.S. access to Venezuela's oil over genuine democratization efforts.