Marco Rubio Meets Venezuelan Foreign Minister to Discuss Elections

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday, marking the first diplomatic encounter between the two nations since the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January. The meeting is part of a broader U.S. strategy for Venezuela focused on stabilization, economic recovery, and a democratic transition.

Rubio urged the release of remaining political prisoners and emphasized the need for a sustainable election architecture. The discussions follow a negotiated roadmap between the government of interim president Delcy Rodríguez and an opposition bloc led by Dinorah Figuera to renew judicial and electoral bodies for elections by 2027.

In separate talks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Blanco to discuss revitalizing critical sectors, boosting energy production, and reconnecting the Venezuelan financial sector to attract investment. These diplomatic efforts follow a major oil agreement between the Rodríguez administration and North American Blue Energy Partners, as well as a meeting in August between Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Rodríguez.

While Venezuela pursues rapprochement with the United States, the political shift has caused a fuel crisis in Cuba after Venezuela halted oil shipments to the island.