President Donald Trump has stated that Venezuela will not be ready for elections in the immediate future, emphasizing the need for the country to be “nursed back to health” first. In an interview with NBC News, Trump expressed that elections cannot take place until the underlying issues affecting the nation are addressed. He remarked, “You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,” highlighting the current instability in the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s sentiments, describing the idea of holding elections in the near term as “absurd.” Following the recent capture of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, Rubio pointed out that the transition process would require time and effort. He stated, “These things take time, there’s a process,” while expressing the desire for Venezuela to evolve into a vastly different nation. Rubio added that expectations should not be set on immediate changes, as he believes it will require a considerable amount of time for the situation to improve.
U.S. Strategy for Venezuela’s Recovery
Rubio, who will play a key role in overseeing the U.S. administration’s approach to Venezuela, emphasized the importance of a strategic recovery plan. He is joined in this effort by deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance. “It’s a group of all. They have all expertise, different expertise,” he noted regarding the team composition. Nevertheless, Trump stressed that he would ultimately direct the recovery initiatives.
In a separate discussion within the interview, Trump proposed that his administration could support efforts by oil companies to restore Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. He estimated that this process could be completed in less than a year and a half. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue,” Trump stated, highlighting the financial implications of the recovery plan.
Overall, both Trump and Rubio’s statements indicate a clear stance on the U.S. approach towards Venezuela, advocating for a recovery-first strategy before any electoral processes can commence. As the situation develops, the focus remains on both humanitarian and infrastructural assistance to facilitate a smoother transition for the Venezuelan people.
