Rubio and Blanco Discuss Venezuela Election Timeline

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco discussed the sequence of Venezuela’s political future on Monday. The central point of contention is the timing of presidential elections. Washington maintains that economic recovery and political reconciliation must occur before democratic voting begins. This phased approach contradicts the urgency of opposition figures who are already preparing campaigns.

Neither official spoke to reporters after the meeting. The State Department issued a written account stating that the talks reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s plan. The plan outlines a three-stage process: stabilization, followed by economic recovery and political reconciliation, and concluding with a democratic transition. These discussions took place nearly one year after U.S. forces removed former President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas. He was transported to the United States to face charges related to drug trafficking and other offenses.

Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, returned to Venezuela last week. She stated her intention to organize a movement ahead of elections. Machado said she thanked Trump and Rubio for their support. She noted that Rubio’s proposed sequence indicated presidential elections would occur in 2027. In 2025, Machado presented her Nobel medal to Trump.

While Machado prepares her campaign, the Trump administration is negotiating access to Venezuelan oil. These negotiations are with the government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed office after Maduro’s abduction. Rodriguez recently promised elections held with the world as witness, but she did not specify a date. Her comments came shortly before Machado spoke on Thursday.

In September, the administration announced an agreement granting Washington a stake in one-fifth of Venezuela’s oil resources. The deal involves a joint venture with North American Blue Energy Partners, or NABEP. This company is owned by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt. NABEP is the second-largest private oil operator in the country, trailing only Chevron. According to the administration, Caracas is granting NABEP 100-year rights to 17 oilfields. These fields contain 65 billion barrels in proven reserves.

The Pentagon will hold a 35 percent stake in NABEP. The United States also secures a guaranteed right to purchase 20 percent of the company’s oil production at cost. Machado questioned the transparency of this arrangement upon her return. She stated, “This agreement does not reflect the levels of transparency that Venezuelan society wants.” When asked if she might meet with Rodriguez, Machado said neither the interim president nor Washington had sent a message regarding such a meeting.