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U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Venezuela is not yet prepared to hold elections, arguing that the country needs more time to stabilize following the U.S. military operation that removed Nicolas Maduro from power.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was asked why the United States was not pressing Caracas to set a firm election date. "I just don't think they're ready yet," he said. "You know, it's very new."
Trump framed the delay as a natural consequence of Venezuela's abrupt political transition. "We took them out of a dictatorship, and we're getting along great with the government," he said, without elaborating on a specific timeline for when elections might take place.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. American authorities have accused Maduro of drug terrorism and cocaine trafficking, among other charges. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez assumed power in the aftermath of his capture.
The president offered warm words for Rodriguez, who has led the country since January. He said she was "doing a very, very good job" and was "very highly respected." He added that she supports moving toward elections but that conditions in the country are not yet ripe. "Delcy wants it, but they're not ready yet," Trump said.
Trump reiterated that Venezuela's recent upheaval, following the capture of Maduro, meant more time was needed before a vote could be held. "And they're just not going to be ready for it yet," he said. "But soon, we look forward to doing it."
He did not specify what benchmarks would need to be met for Washington to consider Venezuela prepared to hold elections, nor did he give a projected date.
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