Trump Declares Venezuela Unprepared for Elections Amid Oil Deal

President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Venezuela is not yet ready to hold elections, following a recent agreement that grants the U.S. control over a significant portion of the country’s oil reserves.

In remarks made from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the need for stability before elections can take place, referring to acting president Delcy Rodríguez’s effective governance. However, he refrained from outlining specific conditions or a timeline for when elections might occur.

A senior official in the U.S. administration echoed these sentiments, dismissing the idea of setting a definitive date for elections, labeling it an "artificial deadline." The official highlighted that Venezuelan institutions have suffered degradation over the past two decades and must be rebuilt to ensure fair elections.

The prerequisites for elections, as identified by the U.S., include economic stability, a free press, and a credible electoral process. The recent agreement with the interim government and a faction of the opposition focused on appointing Supreme Court justices but did not address the National Electoral Council or political prisoners.

Source: en.mercopress.com