Venezuela’s National Assembly President Announces No Immediate Presidential Elections
In a recent interview with the U.S. conservative outlet Newsmax, Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared that the country will not conduct presidential elections in the near future. He emphasized that the current focus of the Venezuelan government is on achieving national stability.
Rodriguez’s comments, made late Monday, come in the wake of a controversial presidential election held in 2024, where President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory amid allegations of electoral irregularities. When asked by Newsmax host Rob Schmitt if this meant that no elections would occur for another five years, Rodriguez stated, “The only thing I could say is that there will not be an election in this immediate period of time where the stabilization has to be achieved.”
He elaborated that the government’s decision is part of a broader initiative to rebuild and strengthen Venezuela’s state institutions. “What we’re working on at the moment is what we call the re-institutionalization of the country, so that every single institution of the country can again be brought to full power and full recognition by everybody,” Rodriguez explained.
The political landscape in Venezuela has shifted dramatically following the abduction of President Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3. In the aftermath, the Venezuelan Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Jorge’s sister, as acting president. She was formally sworn in on January 5, receiving support from the military and the governing party.
Rodriguez indicated that the current government is aiming to create a “timetable” for new elections, contingent upon reaching an agreement with various opposition sectors. The potential for a new election had initially sparked hope following Maduro’s abduction, especially in light of the controversies surrounding the 2024 election.
During that election, Maduro faced significant opposition claims, with rival parties alleging that their candidate had actually won. This led to widespread protests and a violent government crackdown, resulting in an estimated 25 fatalities, according to the U.S. State Department. Rodriguez, however, defended the legitimacy of the 2024 election and stressed the need for national unity, stating, “We have been divided for a very long time.”
In a bid to foster reconciliation, the National Assembly is working on an amnesty law that would release all political prisoners and forgive crimes related to political dissent since 1999. This bill has already passed its first vote unanimously and is expected to advance in the coming days. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for continued political repression after the release of prisoners.
When questioned about the future of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Rodriguez refrained from addressing individual cases, suggesting that many actors must be included in the discussion. He noted that the amnesty law aims to facilitate the return of opposition figures who have been living abroad, but he clarified that it would not apply to those accused of violent crimes.
Rodriguez’s remarks come amid ongoing developments concerning former lawmaker Juan Pablo Guanipa, who was recently released from pretrial detention only to be rearrested hours later. His family described the incident as an “abduction,” raising further questions about the state of political freedoms in Venezuela.
Machado criticized the government’s actions, arguing that the situation reflects a broader pattern of repression. She questioned the legitimacy of the government’s releases, asking, “Can’t we talk in Venezuela about those who have been in prison? Can’t we recount what they have experienced?”
As Venezuela navigates its complex political landscape, the international community will be closely monitoring the government’s actions and the potential for future elections.
