Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that her country would hold elections as part of a transition to "full democracy," but gave no specific date for the vote.
"I wish to state this very clearly before this General Assembly: Elections will be held in Venezuela," Rodriguez said, adding that her government has started a "political dialogue with opposition sectors" to secure a "process based on equal conditions for all."
Rodriguez said the Venezuelan people would determine the best time to hold elections and assured the UN that, when the time comes, the country's institutions "will be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process."
Rodriguez took over as Venezuela's acting president after a surprise U.S. military raid in January that captured then-leader Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. Maduro is currently being held only a few miles from UN headquarters as he awaits trial.
Wednesday's address marked Rodriguez's first speech to the General Assembly since coming to power. It is also the first trip to the United States by a Venezuelan head of state since 2018, when Maduro himself traveled to New York to participate in the assembly.
Rodriguez's appearance at the international forum also marks a milestone in Venezuela's reintegration into global diplomacy. She noted that "the last time that two presidents of Venezuela and the United States met was in 2009."
She said Venezuela is coming back strong after "setbacks" suffered this year, referencing both the political upheaval following Maduro's capture and a devastating natural disaster. On June 24, two powerful earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck north-central Venezuela, killing more than 6,500 people, leaving an untold number missing, and causing widespread devastation.
"I come to talk about a Venezuela whose national life has been affected by a crisis of political coexistence that disrupted the life of the nation and our interaction with the world," Rodriguez said. "Interests alien to the common good of Venezuelans were imposed."
Rodriguez thanked President Donald Trump for his willingness to resume diplomatic relations and cooperation with Venezuela. "We are working earnestly to resolve existing differences through dialogue, but above all to pave the way for cooperation in the energy sector, the promotion of security, the joint fight against transnational crime, and economic cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and our continent," she said.
Before her address on Wednesday, Rodriguez and Trump met at a pull-aside meeting late Tuesday during a reception the U.S. president hosted at a New York hotel. It was the first time the two had met in person since the operation that captured Maduro and effectively placed Rodriguez in charge. The two discussed strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation in energy, mining, and security, among other areas. Reports indicate they also discussed restructuring Venezuela's billions of dollars in sovereign debt.
"We discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship between our countries and advancing a cooperation agenda in strategic areas such as energy, mining, security, and other matters of mutual interest," Rodriguez said following the encounter.
The meeting came after the two countries announced an agreement last month to give the United States a stake in Venezuela's vast oil reserves. U.S. influence in Venezuela has grown since Washington lifted sanctions against Rodriguez in April, one of several moves recognizing her as a legitimate authority.
Critics say Washington has sidelined the Venezuelan opposition, dropping demands for free elections in favor of oil and investment deals with the interim government.
Addressing her own people, Rodriguez acknowledged the road ahead would be difficult. "I do not promise you an easy way forward," she said. "Rebuilding our national soul will be the priority."
"We will walk united as a single nation that, after the pain, chose hope," she added. "Today, Venezuela is being reborn."
