The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado established that, from a technical point of view, clean, democratic, transparent elections with international observation in Venezuela require at least 40 weeks to be carried out, that is, nine months.
The leader made these statements in an interview given to the Spanish media El Debate, in the midst of an agenda that included meetings with international leaders such as Emmanuel Macron this Monday.
«We all would like this to go much faster. Nobody is satisfied. There are still 485 political prisoners. They threaten me every day. Most of his colleagues in Venezuela do not dare to open their mouths yet, but this is a process that, once activated, has no turning back. There is no way to put the water back into the dam. From a technical point of view, clean, democratic, transparent elections, that allow everyone’s participation and international observation, should take about 40 weeks, nine months,” Machado said at the interview published this Tuesday.
Machado acknowledged that patience prevailed in the transition process after the departure of Nicolás Maduro. He stated that Delcy Rodríguez, who occupies a position of power, represents “chaos, darkness and the past” and operates under international restrictions that remind him of the consequences of non-compliance.
The opponent ruled out regret for her departure from Venezuela and compared the fall of Chavismo to that of the Berlin Wall for the Americas. He expressed gratitude to Donald Trump and other heads of state, as well as to the Spanish people for their welcome to the Venezuelan exile.
He also criticized the Government of Pedro Sánchez in Spain, for its lack of firmness in the face of the regime’s crimes, while he praised left-wing governments in other countries that did defend democracy.
Regarding José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Machado reiterated warnings from years ago about his opacity in relation to Venezuela, especially with political prisoners. “Here everything will be known,” he stated, and condemned the prioritization of the political dimension over the cruelty documented in UN reports, which include torture of children, sexual abuse and forced disappearances.
He denied having seen it personally and stressed that “the important thing is what we Venezuelans are going to do.”
The Venezuelan leader insisted that the transition process, already in its second phase according to statements by Marco Rubio, is advancing without turning back despite the 485 remaining political prisoners and the daily threats she receives.
“Venezuela is ready” for elections that respect popular sovereignty, guarantee security, stability, investments and freedom. He rejected any indefinite delay on the part of the regime and its allies.
«Of course, because of the position of the United States, which has been very firm. Secretary Marco Rubio has said it clearly: the first phase of the transition is completed, we are in the second and we are on the way to the third, which is the transition, through a process of clean and free elections,” he added.
