Rubio, in his statement to journalists, stated that they look at the actions of Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez rather than his words, and stated that Rodriguez has so far done his part in eliminating the influence of Iran and Cuba in the country and extraditing Colombian businessman Alex Saab to the USA.
Emphasizing that Venezuela should do its part as planned, Rubio said, "What we want is a new Supreme Court, a new Electoral Council, a new election and a new management system. Not in 10 years, not in 5 years, not in 2 years. It needs to happen quickly, within the timetables we have determined." he said.
Rubio stated that they will not allow the interim administration in Venezuela to stall the process and said, "We have agreed upon calendars and they have complied with all of them so far. Therefore, I aim to see this issue long before my departure." he said.
'OUR GOAL IS TO HOLD AN ELECTION'
Rubio pointed out that he met with the authorities to ensure the return of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who returned to her country on Sunday, to Venezuela. "We met with the interim administration weeks ago and said, 'Our expectation is that she is a Venezuelan, she belongs to her country. She should be allowed to return. She should be allowed to return undisturbed.'" he said.
Stating that the USA did not deter Machado from returning to the country, Rubio emphasized that they took a different attitude only because they thought that the delivery of humanitarian and emergency aid to the country should be a priority immediately after the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Venezuela in June.
Stating that Venezuelan President Maduro, who was detained as a result of the US military intervention on January 3, will be tried, Rubio said: "To be clear, we need to use our influence on the interim administration to ensure that the process proceeds responsibly. Our goal here is to hold an election." made the statement.
Arguing that the United States' goal is to help create a sustainable electoral structure that all parties will trust, Rubio said that to achieve this goal, Venezuela must stabilize its economy, rebuild its institutions, including the courts and the electoral college, and provide an environment for open political expression based on freedom of the press and access to all media, including online platforms.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
PRE-ELECTION REFORM PRESSURE
According to the US-based Axios news site, US officials demand reforms in the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council, as well as regulation of Venezuela's debt, before elections can be held in Venezuela.
"If you want a democratically elected government to be successful, you don't want it to inherit an economic disaster that will lead to its collapse," an unnamed senior State Department official told Axios, noting that reforming Venezuela's security forces is also on the agenda. he said.
The same official said, "What happens if security forces who are not loyal to the system decide that they will not follow orders, no matter who is elected? They do not follow orders, they do not do what is necessary. Then Caracas will once again become the murder capital of the Western Hemisphere, perhaps the world." he said.
Officials from the Trump administration told Axios in Venezuela that the election date is not clear and that the election could be held next year or in 2028.
MACHADO'S RETURN TO VENEZUELA
Venezuelan opposition leader Machado returned to his country, which he secretly left on December 7, 2025, on October 25. Arriving in Caracas accompanied by a convoy, Machado was welcomed by his supporters.
Legal uncertainty and the risk of arrest regarding Machado, who returned to his country after approximately 10 months of exile, continues. An arrest warrant in absentia was issued for Machado by the Caracas Terrorism Courts on charges of "terrorism" and "treason".
