While global attention has understandably shifted to the Middle East, the United States and international community cannot lose focus on the political transition in Venezuela, which is crucial to stability in the Americas and around the world. And now is the time to start pursuing reforms so that they’re in place for Venezuela’s next election. While 2027 may seem far off, these steps should be started now to ensure that a free and fair election in 2027 is possible.
Venezuela presents a unique opportunity to reverse the global trend of autocratic governments terrorizing their own citizens and spreading instability. A democratic transition in Venezuela would help end its track record of supporting narcotrafficking, producing an unprecedented quantity of refugees, serving as Russia and China’s regional anchor and perpetrating widespread human rights abuses. The next step in this process is a democratic election.
The United States is currently working with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president under deposed leader Nicolás Maduro. But her administration won’t serve American economic and security interests in the long term because those require rule of law, noncorrupt governance and stable leadership. The evolving case against Rodríguez for corruption and money laundering shows she is unfit to lead, as do standing indictments for key figures in her administration, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and former Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who was replaced this week by General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez. Gonzalez Lopez is sanctioned by the United States and European Union for human rights abuses and corruption. Padrino Lopez will, according to Rodriguez’s statement this week, be given a new position.
A path to free and fair elections within the next 12 to 18 months is possible. But it means taking steps now to prepare the infrastructure to run these elections, and that requires the support of the United States and international actors.
Opinion
These actions include reforming the electoral council and registering voters, lifting restrictions on political parties and leaders, releasing political prisoners and allowing exiled leaders to return freely.
Unlike many other countries with autocratic governments, Venezuela has a strong, diverse and democratically oriented opposition movement. The democratic opposition overwhelmingly won the 2024 presidential election, showing a domestic appetite for democratic transition.
Venezuela has political parties – albeit significantly restricted by the current regime – that are relatively well organized and ready to join the next election. It has a robust cadre of political leaders – in country, in jail and in exile – that are capable, democratic and eager to partner with the United States. And, importantly, it now has an ideal opportunity for democratic change, due to the American extraction of Maduro in January.
But the longer leaders like Rodríguez, Cabello and López stay in power, the further the goal of a stable, noncorrupt democratic Venezuela becomes.
There are three steps Venezuela must take to hold free and fair elections.
Reform the electoral council and register voters
The Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE), or National Election Council, is Venezuela’s central body for elections and head of one of the five branches of government. It has suffered from decades of pro-regime leadership. The United States and international bodies should work with independent international experts to develop a reform plan and new leadership.
A core component of this effort should be voter registration. Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled repression in their homeland since 2014. These individuals must be able to vote, facilitated by internationally recognized standards for out-of-country voting procedures.
There are many American and international organizations, including the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, with significant experience supporting complex elections that are well positioned to help with this process.
Lift restrictions on political parties and leaders
In Freedom House’s annual “Freedom in the World” global assessment for 2025, Venezuela scored 0 out of 4 for freedom to organize political parties or other structures. Many political parties have been banned or limited by onerous restrictions; these should be lifted immediately.
Likewise, individual political leaders face political exile, harassment, imprisonment bans on running for office and other impediments to political participation.
In 2023, María Corina Machado, the opposition leader who would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize, was banned from running for office for 15 years. This and all other limitations on candidacy for peaceful, democratic political leaders should be lifted.
Release political prisoners and allow exiled leaders to return
The Maduro regime silenced opposition through imprisonment, persecution and exile. This must be reversed.
The Rodríguez administration hasn’t made good on its promises to release all political prisoners, a clear snub to the Trump administration. Delcy’s brother, Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly, announced the release of political prisoners on Jan. 9, and again in February, following passage of an amnesty law. While hundreds have been released, 526 political prisoners remain, according to leading Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal. And, according to a recently released UN report, Rodríguez’s administration has imprisoned at least 87 new political dissidents since Maduro’s arrest.
Countless political leaders have been forced into exile and, in some cases, stripped of their citizenship. In addition to Machado, these include 2024 presidential election winner Edmundo González, former interim President Juan Guaidó and former Mayor of the Chacao Municipality of Caracas Leopoldo López. These and other democratic leaders should have their citizenship restored and safety guaranteed, should they choose to return.
Democratic reform in Venezuela and the hemisphere directly supports American economic and security interests. As Carnegie Endowment scholar Jennifer McCoy has argued, “By pressing the Rodríguez government to begin the process of political opening by reestablishing the rule of law, accountable governance, and democratic institutions, the United States will help make the country more attractive for investment.”
Long-term business operations in the country and domestic stability won’t be possible under a corrupt regime of indicted criminals who continue the Maduro-era repression. On the other hand, a democratic Venezuela would be a blow to the illiberal regime in Cuba and other autocratic leaders in the hemisphere.
Delcy Rodríguez, her brother and her band of indicted leaders will say it’s difficult or premature to hold elections or pursue these reforms. This is expected behavior from leaders seeking to preserve their political power and avoid criminal prosecution.
It is time for American leaders to support a democratic process that puts Venezuela back on track for stability, justice and strong partnership with the United States.
Nicole Bibbins Sedaca is the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here.
If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com