The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the democratic transition process in Venezuela is progressing according to the expected timeline and announced that, if the schedule is maintained, the country could have new justices for the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) by mid-December, followed by the establishment of a new National Electoral Council (CNE).
The statements were released this Monday by the State Department, which shared a video in which Rubio explained the necessary steps to hold presidential elections in Venezuela and the conditions that Washington deems essential to ensure a democratic process.
"If everything continues according to schedule, we are on track to have new Supreme Court justices by the middle of next month, in December. Shortly thereafter, the new Electoral Council will be established," stated the head of U.S. diplomacy.
Rubio stated that negotiations between representatives of the Venezuelan government and opposition sectors should continue this week and emphasized that both institutional reforms are essential for moving toward credible elections.
“There are three things needed for elections to work in Venezuela: a new Supreme Court, a new Electoral Council that is administrative and not political, and a free and open press,” he explained.
The Secretary of State insisted that it is not enough to simply change the authorities responsible for organizing the elections. He also believes it is necessary to ensure that candidates can express themselves, campaign, and communicate freely with citizens.
In this regard, positively assessed the return of María Corina Machado and other members of the opposition to Venezuela.
According to Rubio, they have been in the country for over two weeks without any arrests among them, and they have been able to hold press conferences and have access to the internet.
"Credible elections cannot be held if the candidates are unable to communicate with the voters," he warned.
Another issue raised was the participation of Venezuelans living abroad.
Rubio reminded that approximately seven million citizens live outside of Venezuela and argued that it still needs to be resolved how they will be able to exercise their right to vote.
The Secretary of State specifically mentioned those residing in the United States, where, as he explained, there are currently no open Venezuelan consulates that allow for the establishment of voting centers.
He added that this issue has already been discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Venezuelan interim government.
Rubio also explained what should happen after the renewal of judicial and electoral authorities. According to the roadmap promoted by Washington, the next step would be to declare an absolute vacancy of the Presidency, which, according to his proposal, would open a six-month period to organize elections.
"Once the Electoral Council is established and we have these elements, the expectation would be that they declare the vacancy in the Presidency," he stated, clarifying that it would be up to the new legitimate Electoral Council to set the date for the election.
Therefore, although Washington has outlined the timelines it expects to meet for institutional renewal, there is still no announced date for the presidential elections.
The mechanism described by Rubio also presents a difference with the Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which establishes a 30-day deadline to hold elections when there is an absolute vacancy in the presidency during the first four years of the constitutional term.
Rubio stated that the United States continues to advocate for negotiations and considers it a priority that the agreed deadlines are met.
He also stated that he has encouraged other countries to get involved in Venezuela's recovery, both economically and politically.
According to their assessment, a closer relationship between Venezuela and countries other than Russia, China, and Iran could contribute to its economic and social recovery.
The statements expand the roadmap for Venezuela's political transition outlined by Washington at the end of October, which includes first renewing the Supreme Court, then reforming the National Electoral Council, and subsequently moving towards the call for presidential elections.
Two weeks ago, Rubio stated that the electoral system inherited from Nicolás Maduro was designed to rig elections and warned that it needed to be replaced before holding new elections.
The Secretary of State stated that modifying the electoral infrastructure was essential to ensure that both the winners and the losers would recognize the results of a future election.
Rubio warned that he would not allow the government of Delcy Rodríguez to indefinitely prolong the transition until the end of Donald Trump's term in 2029.
He assured that Washington has pressure instruments, including economic sanctions, to enforce compliance with the agreements reached.
At the beginning of November, Rubio met in Washington with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco and reiterated the need to move towards free, fair, and credible elections. During that meeting, he also emphasized the release of political prisoners who remain incarcerated in Venezuela.
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