Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday to discuss reforms in the South American country, in readiness to hold free and fair elections.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department said Rubio reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s plan for Venezuela, which is “stabilization, economic recovery and political reconciliation, and democratic transition.”
“The two discussed progress in the Venezuelan-led reconciliation talks, including institutional reforms that lay the groundwork for free, fair, and credible elections,” the statement said.
Rubio also urged Blanco to continue to release the remaining political prisoners in Venezuela.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado—who returned to the country on Oct. 25—said last week that Rubio had suggested presidential elections would be held in 2027….