The Daily Journal.- Venezuelan opposition leader Dinorah Figuera reiterated on Friday that the country must reform its public institutions before holding elections, following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
“We are committed to rebuilding public institutions, including the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council, guiding the country toward a process that guarantees political and civil rights, and creating a space for renewed unity and reconciliation,” Figuera said after the meeting.
The opposition leader, who represents the National Assembly elected in 2015, heads the dialogue initiative that the White House has promoted with Delcy Rodríguez’s interim administration. Her proposal places institutional restoration among the essential conditions for advancing toward a democratic process in Venezuela.
Figuera thanked the U.S. government for supporting the roadmap and maintained that, despite its complexity, the process could pave the way for the country’s political and economic recovery.
“Is it an easy process? No, it is not. It is a possible process,” the opposition leader said, emphasizing the need to rebuild public institutions and establish safeguards for the exercise of political and civil rights.
Figuera also linked democratic recovery to economic development and highlighted progress in oil investment. In her view, both areas must advance simultaneously to lay the foundations for a stable democratic system.
“Institutional restoration and the country’s economic progress will be two fundamental pillars for building institutions and establishing democracy,” she stated.
The meeting with Rubio was part of Washington’s efforts to promote political dialogue between opposition groups and Rodríguez’s interim administration.
The parties have completed two rounds of talks, achieving progress on reforming the Supreme Court of Justice law and launching a new procedure to appoint justices to the country’s highest court. Authorities have also lifted restrictions that previously prevented access to dozens of digital news outlets.
Figuera said implementing the roadmap would guide the country toward a new period of reconciliation and recovery.
“We are raising the banners of faith, hope, and justice because, without a doubt, we are moving toward a reunion with our homeland,” she concluded.
