Venezuela pledges elections as Delcy Rodríguez addresses U.N. General Assembly
Venezuela’s acting president, delivering her first address to the U.N. General Assembly since coming to power, promised elections Wednesday and said the nation’s people will determine the “right moment,” reports BritPanorama.
“I wish to state this very clearly before this General Assembly: Elections will be held in Venezuela,” Delcy Rodríguez said, adding that her government has started a “political dialogue with opposition sectors” to secure a “process based on equal conditions for all.”
Rodríguez stated that the Venezuelan people will determine the best time to initiate elections and assured the United Nations that, when the time comes, the country’s institutions “will be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process.”
She assumed leadership in Venezuela after a surprise U.S. military raid in January that captured then-leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
This marks the first trip to the United States by a Venezuelan head of state since 2018, when Maduro attended the U.N. General Assembly. He is currently being held only a few miles from the organization’s headquarters as he awaits trial.
Rodríguez’s participation in this international forum also signals a milestone in Venezuela’s reintegration into global diplomacy. She faced a delicate balance in her closely watched U.N. speech, which needed to address both her people and the U.S. government that holds her predecessor.
She claimed her country is recovering from “setbacks” suffered this year and thanked President Trump for being willing to resume relations following the military operation that removed her predecessor.
“Today, Venezuela is being reborn,” Rodríguez stated during her remarks at the international forum.
“I do not promise you an easy way forward,” Rodríguez indicated, addressing her people. “Rebuilding our national soul will be the priority.”
This ongoing political transition in Venezuela illustrates the complexities of global diplomacy and the challenges ahead for the nation.
