Venezuela’s promised elections face long delays, sources say

Venezuela's long-awaited elections may not occur for a year or more, according to political sources and analysts. Despite Acting President Delcy Rodriguez's promise of transitioning to full democracy, major obstacles remain in the way of holding a timely vote. Rodriguez, who assumed power after U.S. forces captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in January, stated that state institutions are preparing for elections and has initiated talks with the opposition.

However, no specific timeline was provided. Key challenges include the planned replacement of all 32 Supreme Court judges and five directors of the National Electoral Council, both bodies accused by opposition groups and international rights observers of lacking independence. These institutions were central to Maduro's 2018 and 2024 re-elections, which were deemed fraudulent.

The institutional reform process, discussed in U.S.-backed talks between Rodriguez's interim government and an opposition faction, could take up to a year to complete. Even after a new electoral council is established, authorities would still need to update voter rolls, ensure all parties can compete, and resolve operational questions about voting methods.

U.S. officials emphasize that any political transition must be accompanied by economic and social stability, potentially complicating the electoral timeline. Critics argue that the U.S. has sidelined the opposition and reduced urgency for free elections in favor of oil and investment deals with the interim government. President Donald Trump's recent announcement to take control of a fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves further underscores the U.S. focus on economic stability over electoral progress.

The U.S. prioritizes stability and economic normalization, with Washington and Caracas viewing the need for political transition as a long-term, open-ended process.