Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez Promises Elections at ‘Right Moment’ in First UN Address

New York: Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, delivered her first address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday since taking power, committing to holding elections while stating that the Venezuelan people themselves would determine the appropriate timing. She said her government had already begun political dialogue with opposition sectors aimed at ensuring conditions of equality for all participants, and assured the assembly that the country's institutions would be ready to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process once the process moves forward.

Rodriguez took over as Venezuela's leader following a surprise illegal US military raid in January that captured former president Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the United States to face alleged drug trafficking charges. Since then, she has built a close working relationship with President Donald Trump, with US influence in Venezuela growing.

Addressing the assembly, Rodriguez noted that the last meeting between the presidents of Venezuela and the United States took place back in 2009, framing her participation as a milestone in the country's return to international diplomacy. She thanked Trump for his willingness to resume ties and spoke of the setbacks Venezuela had endured this year, including devastating earthquakes that struck the north-central region in June, killing thousands and causing widespread destruction.

Describing her government's task as an effort to move Venezuela from a period of uncertainty and conflict toward full, internationally recognised democracy, Rodriguez acknowledged that the path ahead would not be easy, saying the country's broader recovery and the rebuilding of its national identity would take time.

Delcy Rodriguez, who was Nicolas' Vice President took charge as the President following his illegal arrest earlier this year by US military.

This is the first trip to the United States by a Venezuelan head of state since 2018, when Maduro traveled to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly himself.