US seeks middle ground for Venezuelan elections, balancing democracy and stability

The United States is working to find a balance for upcoming elections in Venezuela, aiming for democratic conditions without causing prolonged delays. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael G. Kozak explained that Washington faces the challenge of setting a suitable timeline for reliable elections. This involves establishing electoral guarantees while also fostering economic stability and investor confidence.

"We don't want elections too soon, when they can't be done because many things need to change; but we also don't want elections too far off. People won't invest long-term if there isn't a democratic government. We want to find the middle ground," Kozak stated. He highlighted recent efforts by Venezuelan opposition sectors, including representatives from the 2015 National Assembly and the Unitary Democratic Platform, to coordinate. These groups announced meetings starting August 1 to prepare for future elections.

Kozak also addressed the current context in Venezuela, acknowledging the impact of recent earthquakes. He stressed that any political process must account for these existing circumstances. "We don't want this to drag on, but we also don't want to do it in the middle of an earthquake," he said. These remarks come as international actors push for a political roadmap for Venezuela, focusing on institutional recovery, electoral guarantees, and broad political participation.