Venezuela’s acting president promises elections at the “right moment”

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, promised elections in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. She did not set a date.

Rodríguez said the Venezuelan people would decide when to begin the electoral process. She said her government had opened political dialogue with opposition sectors to establish equal conditions for all.

She also told the assembly that Venezuela’s institutions would be ready to guarantee an inclusive and transparent vote.

Rodríguez speaks after Venezuela’s leadership change

Rodríguez took power after a U.S. military operation in January captured former leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges. Her trip was the first by a Venezuelan head of state to the United States since Maduro attended the U.N. General Assembly in 2018.

In her speech, Rodríguez thanked President Donald Trump for his willingness to restore relations and outlined cooperation in energy, security, combating transnational crime and the economy.

Trump and Rodríguez met on the sidelines of the General Assembly before her address. Rodríguez said they discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in energy, mining and security.

Venezuela’s crisis and recovery

Rodríguez said the country’s recovery would take time. She cited earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, killing more than 6,500 people and causing widespread destruction.

She said her government wanted to guide Venezuela from uncertainty and conflict toward full democracy recognized by its people and the international community.