Trump: Venezuela not ready for elections

U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Friday that Venezuela is not prepared for elections, even as he acknowledged significant progress following a U.S. military intervention. Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that while elections are not imminent, "a lot of progress has been made."

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As far as the elections in Venezuela, they’re not really ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made.

Trump offered praise for Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, who has maintained power with Washington's tacit approval. He described her as "doing a fantastic job" and suggested that "elections take care of themselves." The president then shifted focus to Venezuela's vital oil sector, noting the substantial volume of oil being exported and the U.S.'s share in supporting its own efforts. He asserted his popularity in Venezuela, attributing it to the economic revival the U.S. is facilitating.

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We have to do it right. Elections take care of themselves.

This statement comes after a period of U.S. engagement in Venezuela, including a military operation that removed former leader Nicolas Maduro. While Trump has shown enthusiasm for the country's situation, his administration has been cautious about the timeline for elections. Earlier in June, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined prerequisites for Venezuelan elections, emphasizing the need for a free press and a new electoral commission. The U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American nations did not recognize the results of the 2024 presidential elections, which saw the return of Maduro to power.

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I’m very popular in Venezuela because we’re bringing tremendous economics back to the country, and they were absolutely dying.