Marco Rubio Demands New Electoral System for Venezuela
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Venezuela must replace its electoral infrastructure and judiciary before holding legitimate elections following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Venezuela's electoral infrastructure must be completely replaced before legitimate elections can occur, asserting the current system was designed by Nicolás Maduro's government to rig outcomes. Following the arrest of Maduro, the United States is supporting negotiations between the interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, and opposition factions to reform the country's institutional framework.
Rubio detailed a transition strategy that includes establishing a new Supreme Court of Justice by the end of 2026 and a revamped National Electoral Council. The Trump administration expects Rodríguez to step down by 2027, which would trigger a legal mechanism to hold elections within six months. To ensure compliance, the U.S. is using sanctions waivers and general licenses as leverage to keep interim authorities on schedule.
As part of this process, opposition leader María Corina Machado recently returned to Venezuela after nearly ten years abroad, a move Rubio attributed to U.S. communications with interim authorities. While Rodríguez dismissed Machado's return as a "show," Rubio emphasized that U.S. trust is based on actions rather than rhetoric, specifically citing the extradition of Alex Saab and the reduction of Iranian and Cuban influence. Additionally, Rubio defended a strategic oil deal with a private company intended to restore market confidence and provide the U.S. with strategic access to energy reserves.
