02/06/2026, 06:2702/06/2026, 06:27
Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado believes new democratic elections in Venezuela are possible within nine to ten months. “We believe that a truly transparent process with manual voting (…) throughout the entire process could be implemented in nine to ten months,” Machado told the US media “Politico”. “But that depends on when you start.”
Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado.Image: keystone
She has not yet spoken to US President Donald Trump about a specific timetable for the start of such a process. The two met at the White House after Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro was arrested by the US military in January.
However, Trump has suggested in the past that the United States could continue to oversee Venezuela for years, particularly with a view to expanding its oil infrastructure. He told the New York Times last month that “only time will tell” how long the United States will exercise its supervision over Venezuela.
Since Maduro’s arrest, the South American country has been ruled by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was previously Maduro’s vice president. What will happen politically in Venezuela is completely unclear.
Machado: Military supports transition to democracy
After Maduro’s re-election in 2024, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, Machado had not yet called for new elections, but rather pushed for a change of power based on the results at that time. According to the opinion of the opposition and international observers, the opposition politician Edmundo González Urrutia won the election.
Machado based her assessment of possible new elections on the political and social conditions in the country. She referred to a “strong democratic culture” and the armed forces’ support for a transition to democracy. She also led the recent elections in Venezuela. “If we have done this under such extreme conditions, imagine what is possible now when we have the support of the US government and people feel that we are not alone.” (dab/sda/dpa)