US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on 23 September that the United States wants Venezuela to rebuild its economy and electoral institutions simultaneously — rather than sequentially — before holding new elections. Rubio spoke at the United Nations General Assembly following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

What Rubio Said at the UN

Rubio described the Trump-Rodriguez meeting as 'short but important,' saying both sides discussed steps toward economic recovery and a political transition. Central to those discussions, he said, were talks between Venezuela's interim authorities and leaders from the country's 2015 National Assembly.

'There has to be a political transition process, which is underway,' Rubio told reporters. He added that the talks were aimed at rebuilding the institutions necessary for free and fair elections, though he offered no specific election date.

Why Washington Wants Economy and Elections Together

Rubio argued that an elected government would struggle to survive if it took office amid severe economic and social dysfunction. Washington's position is that greater economic stability and a credible vote must advance together, not as separate tracks. Debt restructuring was identified as part of that recovery effort, with Rubio noting that any such restructuring would need to be handled carefully. He also flagged a recent earthquake as an additional strain on a country already facing deep economic hardship.

Conditions for a Credible Vote

Rubio outlined several benchmarks he said any legitimate election would need to meet: candidates must be able to reach voters, political parties must be able to organise freely, and votes must be counted and reported accurately. Electoral authorities, he said, would need to earn the trust of ordinary Venezuelans.

He pointed to what he described as signs of expanding media freedom — several Venezuelan outlets reportedly barred from broadcasting for nearly seven years had resumed operations in the previous two weeks. The original account offered no independent confirmation of that claim.

Opposition Rebuilding and the Diaspora Question

Rubio acknowledged that opposition parties needed time to reconstitute themselves. Several of their leaders remain outside Venezuela, and he said the parties must be able to function as political organisations rather than protest movements. He noted that an election producing a government unable to function would not serve Venezuela's long-term interests.

Asked about reports that prominent opposition figure Maria Corina Machado had been blocked from returning to Venezuela, Rubio said he did not know the specific details and would seek further information. He praised her but stopped short of calling for her immediate return.

Rubio also addressed the broader question of the Venezuelan diaspora — the millions who have left the country in recent years — saying the United States wanted those who wished to return to feel safe enough to reopen businesses and re-engage in political and economic life. Progress on transition and reconciliation talks, he said, was key to rebuilding that confidence.

Wider Context

Venezuela is a major South American oil producer that has endured years of economic collapse and political crisis. The country's population has shrunk significantly as millions emigrated in search of stability. Rubio offered no timetable for completing institutional reforms or scheduling a national vote, but framed Washington's goal as an election that would produce a durable democracy and a functioning economy.