The US administration, led by Donald Trump, expressed its support for a roadmap aimed at renewing public powers in Venezuela during the coming months. The plan contemplates the restructuring of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) and the National Electoral Council (CNE) as a preliminary step so that Delcy Rodríguez declares absolute absence in the presidency and a period of six months is opened towards the calling of elections.
“Once those two things are established, the new TSJ at the end of this year and the new CNE shortly after – work that has already begun – Rodríguez should declare the permanent vacancy in the presidency,” said a senior State Department official during a telephone press conference.
The diplomatic representative stressed that the declaration of an absolute vacancy in the head of state activates the legal mechanism in Venezuelan legislation, which establishes a maximum period of six months for holding presidential elections.
This calendar broadly coincides with the position put forward by Dinorah Figuera, an opposition leader who heads the delegation from the National Assembly elected in 2015 in the ongoing negotiations. The opposition has proposed the formation of a new TSJ before the end of the year, followed by the renewal of the authorities of the electoral referee.
International pressure and influence in negotiations
During the appearance, the US official ratified Washington’s commitment to guarantee that the dialogue process and institutional reforms lead to an electoral contest with guarantees.
“As a government, we must use our ability to influence the interim authorities to ensure that this process continues to move forward responsibly. Our goal is to achieve elections in which, once held, the losing party recognizes that the process was fair,” said the government source.
This position responds to criticism arising from the apparent slowness in the transition process after the arrest of Nicolas Maduro by US authorities. Faced with the questions, the White House has defended its strategy structured in three phases and has requested caution in making the appointment with the polls.
