The Daily Journal – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, “wants” the country to hold elections. However, he believes the South American nation is “not ready” for them yet.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump praised the Venezuelan leader and highlighted her performance at the helm of the interim government.
“Delcy is doing a very, very good job. She is very respected,” the U.S. president said. Regarding the possibility of an electoral process, Trump said both the United States and Rodríguez share the goal of holding elections.
“We want that [elections], and they want it too. Delcy wants it, but they’re not ready yet,” he said.
The U.S. president justified his position by arguing that, in his view, Venezuela’s political and social environment still lacks the necessary conditions for an election. “I just don’t think they’re ready yet,” Trump explained, although he expressed hope that elections could take place “soon.”
Trump’s remarks come amid growing ties between Washington and Delcy Rodríguez’s interim government, which the United States recognizes as Venezuela’s acting government.
In recent months, the U.S. administration has maintained a pragmatic relationship with the Venezuelan leader, focusing on reopening the oil market and promoting political stability in the country.
This is not the first time Trump has commented on Venezuela’s electoral process. On July 24, the president said Venezuela was “not ready yet” to hold elections, although he acknowledged that the country had made “progress” on the issue.
On that occasion, Trump also praised Delcy Rodríguez’s performance and said his administration’s ultimate goal was a democratic transition in the country. However, he did not set a specific electoral timetable.
The U.S. president’s comments also come after Trump joked in March about running against Delcy Rodríguez in a Venezuelan election, a remark that sparked various reactions in political circles.
So far, Venezuela’s interim president has not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks, although sources close to her government have repeatedly said that she is willing to call elections as soon as conditions in the country allow.
With information from EFE
