The Daily Journal.- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s support on Friday for the dialogue process led by opposition figure Dinorah Figuera with Delcy Rodríguez’s interim administration. He said the goal is to move toward a peaceful transition that restores democracy in Venezuela.
“This process that she is leading, along with her team, has 100% of our support, the strongest possible support from the highest levels of our government,” Rubio said during a meeting with Figuera in Washington.
The top U.S. diplomat said Venezuela has an opportunity to restore democracy after nearly a quarter-century of profound political and social crises.
“This is a country that has suffered almost a quarter-century of trauma, very deep trauma that has impacted every level of society,” Rubio said. He described the current moment as Venezuela’s best opportunity in nearly a generation to restore a democratic system.
The secretary of state emphasized that the transition must go beyond holding elections and include building institutions that can sustain democracy and ensure effective governance.
“Our desire for Venezuela is not simply to have elections, elections. It is very important that it have a democracy, a lasting democracy,” he said.
Rubio added that the process must lead to institutions that guarantee “stability, progress, prosperity, and freedom” for Venezuelans over the long term.
“It is not simply about free and fair elections, but also about leaving behind a lasting democracy for future generations,” he stated.
Figuera represents the National Assembly elected in 2015 and leads the dialogue initiative that the White House has promoted with Rodríguez’s interim administration.
The process has completed two rounds of talks, resulting in progress on reforming the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) law and launching a new procedure to appoint justices to the country’s highest court. Authorities have also lifted restrictions that previously blocked access to dozens of digital news outlets.
Rubio acknowledged the results achieved so far but warned that further agreements would be necessary to secure a peaceful transition.
“They have already achieved concrete results. More results will be necessary,” the secretary of state said, adding that the process would require “a lot of work, a little patience,” and the participation of different sectors of Venezuelan society.
He urged political and social stakeholders to engage constructively in the discussions and reiterated Washington’s support for Figuera’s efforts.
“We want all sectors of Venezuelan society to participate in this,” he said. “We encourage everyone who cares about Venezuela’s future to participate in this process positively.”
Rubio announced that talks would resume on October 14 and reiterated that the United States aims to support a democratic transition that establishes stable, lasting institutions.
“What we desire more than anything is for Venezuela not simply to have a democracy, but a democracy that can govern,” he said. He added that the objective is to establish a republic capable of guaranteeing its people “stability, prosperity, and freedom.”
The meeting took place one day after U.S. prosecutors brought new charges against Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, for alleged “conspiracy to commit torture.” Both remain in custody at a correctional facility in New York.
