Seven months after Trump action, senators seek Venezuela elections

A bipartisan group of US senators on Tuesday urged immediate elections in Venezuela, seven months after President Donald Trump's administration ousted Nicolas Maduro and placed his vice president in charge as acting leader.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire put forward a resolution that backs US support for polls, demands the release of political prisoners, and calls for penalties against any officials, including top figures, found responsible for harming those pursuing public office.

The measure reflects growing bipartisan impatience with the Trump administration's efforts to drive genuine reform in Venezuela under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Talks to proceed without leading opposition figure

Negotiations between Venezuela's interim government and one opposition group are scheduled to start soon, yet they will exclude Maria Corina Machado, the nation's most prominent opposition voice.

Cruz, a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated that Venezuelans merit free, fair, and transparent elections, adding that swift polls serve vital US national security interests.

Shaheen, the panel's leading Democrat, insisted that Caracas authorities free all political prisoners and permit every political participant, including Machado, to return safely and engage in public life.

Five additional lawmakers, four Democrats and one Republican, joined as co-sponsors.

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Machado departed Venezuela late last year to accept her award after spending much of her time in hiding following the disputed 2024 presidential vote. She has pledged to return to aid recovery from June's severe twin earthquakes, a move that has concerned US officials who view the timing as premature.

Trump has rejected reports that his team advised Machado against coming back. Since Maduro's removal, US officials have repeatedly kept her at a distance, citing insufficient backing for her to lead the country.