US ambassador to Spain: Iran war delays Venezuela transition

The ongoing "war in Iran" has extended the timeline for Venezuela's political transition, according to U.S. Ambassador to Spain Benjamín León Jr. He believes the conflict has delayed the initial "stabilization" phase outlined by the Trump administration following the capture of Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.

"I have no doubt that the day of María Corina Machado in Venezuela will come," León stated confidently during an informational breakfast in Madrid. However, he personally opined that the "war in Iran has stretched the time of this stage one." The ambassador stressed that the United States is responsible for protecting Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado.

León explained that the U.S. is proceeding with caution, taking "little by little, step by step, the process of complete and total democratization in Venezuela." He argued that acting prematurely could lead to bloodshed, for which the United States would be culpable. The ambassador anticipates that the Venezuelan people will eventually have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate when the time is right, marking the final stage of the U.S. plan.

When pressed for a timeline, León deferred, suggesting that President Trump or Secretary Rubio would be better sources for estimating when this transition might occur. The ambassador's remarks underscore the U.S. administration's deliberate and cautious approach to Venezuela's political future, linking its progress to international geopolitical events.

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Los Estados Unidos están siendo bien cautelosos y llevando poco a poco, paso a paso, el proceso de democratización completa y total en Venezuela.