The Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machadoin his first remarks since returning to the country over the weekend, said Thursday that the United States supports a transition process leading to a presidential election in 2027, adding that a future administration could improve some contracts that are being subscribed with investors.
The return of Machado Venezuela could strain its ties with the administration of the American president, donald trumpwho ordered the arrest of Nicolas Maduro in an operation carried out in January. Maduro currently faces charges in the United States for drug trafficking and torture, accusations he denies.
Washington has maintained that Machado —who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize— has the full right to be in Venezuela; However, Trump has praised the interim president, Delcy Rodriguezand its administration supports a process of negotiation between the Government of Rodriguez and an opposition delegation that excludes the movement Sell Venezuelaled by Machado.
These conversations, which have continued this month, contemplate the restructuring of the National Electoral Council and of the highest court in the face of possible elections. Both bodies are currently made up of people loyal to the ruling party.
In his statements, Machado thanked trump and the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubiofor his role in the departure of Maduro, and affirmed that the relationship between both countries is based on mutual respect and responds to the interest of both nations, and hopes that the role of the United States in the country will be long-term.
“The Secretary of State, Marco Rubiohas proposed a sequence of events in order to move towards a transition democratic that makes clear the holding of presidential elections in 2027,” he said Machado at a press conference in Caracas, who added that he will guarantee that all Venezuelans with the right to vote can exercise it in any future election.
Rubio has previously stated that he hopes Machado will support these talks.
The opposition leader expressed her satisfaction with the fact that Delcy Rodriguezin statements earlier that same day, also spoke out in favor of holding elections, and stressed that those who contribute to the country’s transition to democracy will be given guarantees. Machado He added that a transitional justice process, a truth commission and a restructuring of the State security forces are necessary.
The 59-year-old opposition leader returned to Venezuela on Sunday after several failed attempts during the year. Machadothe most popular opposition figure in the country, was disqualified from participating in the 2024 elections, however, its representative won a resounding victory, according to counts released by the opposition.
Contract modifications
Venezuela needs transparent contracts, open bidding conditions for public agreements and international arbitration, to ensure that both investors and the Venezuelan people get the maximum benefit from future investments, he said. Machado.
The Government in charge of Rodriguez has signed agreements with various companies interested in the oil, gas and mining sectors—with the backing of the United States—including a pact between the company North American Blue Energy Partners (Nabep) and the US Government to export the production of 17 Venezuelan fields. The director of the company, Alejandro Betancourthas been the subject of investigations in the United States, Spain and Switzerland, although he has never been formally charged.
Machado He claimed not to have seen the Nabep contract and added that Venezuela and its allies benefit from “a system of absolute transparency.”
“I want to insist on something, to all those investors who are seeing Venezuela today or who have entered Venezuela in recent times, I want to tell them, all legally signed contracts will be respected,” he said. Machado adding that some contracts could move to “new terms (…) that are going to be much higher.”
The country will need an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to define how to manage its enormous debt burden, Machado added, in addition to addressing urgent humanitarian needs within the country.
political prisoners
Machadowho lived in hiding for more than a year before leaving the country—a period during which many of his close collaborators were detained—said that the release of political prisoners is essential to restoring democracy.
The Venezuelan opposition and various human rights organizations have been denouncing for years that the Government uses arrests to stifle dissent. For its part, the Government has always denied the existence of political prisoners.
The human rights organization Criminal Forum points out that, currently, there are 322 political prisoners imprisoned in Venezuela, of which more than half have not been convicted. Likewise, nearly 11,000 people are under other restrictive measures, such as house arrest.
The objective of Criminal Forum is to achieve “the dismantling of the repressive apparatus”, the immediate and full release of political prisoners, the repeal of repressive laws and the creation of a future truth commission, its vice president explained to Reuters this week, Gonzalo Himiob.
On the other hand, Rodriguez reported Thursday that more than 9,000 people have been released or had their legal restrictions lifted under a limited amnesty law.
