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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Elections & Politics

John Magdaleno says Venezuela may not hold elections until late next year

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Ongoing story
  • Political scientist John Magdaleno said Venezuela is unlikely to hold presidential elections before late next year, or possibly 2028, citing current political conditions.
  • He said rushing an election without adequate conditions could undermine its legitimacy and produce authorities unable to remain in power.
  • Magdaleno linked any electoral advance to dialogue between Delcy Rodríguez’s government and opposition sectors, including agreements on political guarantees and restitution.

Venezuela may not hold a presidential election until late next year or even 2028, according to political scientist John Magdaleno, who said the country’s current political conditions do not allow the process to move forward soon.

Speaking to Venevisión, Magdaleno stressed that his estimate reflected an assessment of political feasibility rather than a personal preference. “I do not believe there will be a presidential election until the end of next year or 2028 onward,” he said. “I am observing conditions of political feasibility. It is not my wish. My wish is for it to happen quickly, but I know that is not viable.”

I do not believe there will be a presidential election until the end of next year or 2028 onward. I am observing conditions of political feasibility. It is not my wish. My wish is for it to happen quickly, but I know that is not viable.

· John MagdalenoThe political scientist explained why he expects a long delay before Venezuela holds a presidential election.

He also questioned what role the United States would play after the vote, referring to Washington’s influence over Venezuela’s political process. “What will happen with the American tutelage after those elections? Will they withdraw, or will they continue to exert influence?” he asked.

What will happen with the American tutelage after those elections? Will they withdraw, or will they continue to exert influence?

· John MagdalenoHe questioned the future role of the United States in Venezuela after the elections.

Magdaleno said Venezuelans face a choice between taking the time to organize a credible democratic election and rushing a vote that might merely legitimize authorities unable to endure. “We have to choose between two options: Do we want an election that effectively establishes a democratic regime, has some chance of lasting over time and is of high quality, or do we rush an election to legitimize authorities that cannot be sustained?” he said, warning that the result could become a failed episode.

He tied progress toward any election to the outcome of dialogue between Delcy Rodríguez’s government and opposition sectors grouped around the National Assembly elected in 2015. The key issues, he said, include what political restitutions are agreed, their sequence and pace, and which actors receive guarantees.

We have to choose between two options: Do we want an election that effectively establishes a democratic regime, has some chance of lasting over time and is of high quality, or do we rush an election to legitimize authorities that cannot be sustained?

· John MagdalenoHe warned that holding elections without adequate conditions could damage their legitimacy.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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