Rubio urges Venezuela to establish new electoral commission

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Wednesday for Venezuela to establish a new electoral commission and create conditions for free and independent media as part of efforts to hold elections in the country.

Speaking during a hearing before the House of Representatives, Rubio said the institutional framework needed to be put in place "as soon as possible" following the departure of Nicolás Maduro from power five months earlier.

"We would like to see it as soon as possible, but remember that five months have passed—not five years, not fifty months, just five months," Rubio said. "Five months is not a lot of time for a country that has been through what that country has been through, but clearly we need a new electoral commission."

Rubio described Venezuela as currently in a "recovery phase" before transitioning to a political transition stage. He emphasized that part of establishing conditions for elections involves creating space for a free and independent press.

"Part of the recovery phase is creating the conditions for a free and independent press," Rubio stated. He noted that there had been "an increase in this activity," though it "has to continue growing."

The Secretary of State also highlighted the need for political parties to "organize and mobilize" as part of the broader democratic transition process. Rubio made his remarks during an exchange with Representative María Elvira Salazar before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to Rubio, the timeline for establishing these conditions should move forward to ensure an effective transition toward a multiparty system in Venezuela.