Trump: Venezuela Not Ready for New Elections, Praises Interim President

U.S. President Donald Trump declared Venezuela is not yet prepared for new elections, more than seven months after a U.S. military operation led to the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that while "great progress" has been made, the country is not ready.

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What we are talking about with elections in Venezuela, they are not really ready yet, but great progress has been made.

He specifically praised Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, stating she is doing a "fantastic job." Trump also highlighted the importance of Venezuela's oil industry, noting the large volumes of oil being exported from the country. "I am very popular in Venezuela because we are bringing back a tremendous economy, and they were on the verge of extinction," he added.

The last presidential election in Venezuela, held in 2024, was controversial. It returned authoritarian leader Maduro to power, and the United States, European Union, and Latin American countries did not recognize its legitimacy. In June, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Venezuela needed a free press and a new electoral commission before new elections could be held.

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She is doing a fantastic job.

The U.S. military operation on January 3 resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were flown to New York. They face multiple charges, including narco-terrorism, for allegedly using their positions to facilitate cocaine smuggling into the U.S. Maduro denies the accusations and is expected to stand trial in the U.S. next year.

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I am very popular in Venezuela because we are bringing back a tremendous economy, and they were on the verge of extinction.