Pence calls for new elections to replace Delcy Rodriguez
Former Vice President Mike Pence said delcy Rodríguez is “not the right leader” for Venezuela and urged that the United States push for free and fair elections to replace her. He made the remarks on CNN’s State of the Union after U.S. Delta Force captured former president Nicolás Maduro and his wife; Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was sworn in as acting president afterward. Pence said restoring basic liberties and free-market principles should be a priority and suggested opposition figures such as María Corina Machado coudl win popular support. While Pence and the Trump governance praised Maduro’s capture, the current administration has not explicitly backed Machado’s bid, and the CIA reportedly advised keeping Rodríguez in place temporarily to maintain stability. Trump nonetheless hosted Machado at the White House and said he was “very impressed” by her.
Pence calls for new Venezuela elections to replace Delcy Rodriguez
Former Vice President Mike Pence said on Sunday that acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez “is not the right leader” for the South American country, instead calling for new elections to find her replacement.
Pence appeared on CNN’s State of the Union almost three weeks after the U.S. Army’s Delta Force captured former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores in Caracas. Rodriguez, who was Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in shortly after as acting president.
“Delcy Rodriguez is not the right leader for Venezuela going forward,” Pence said. “I think it should be the objective of the United States to move forward as quickly as possible to restore basic liberties, to restore free market principles. Do that through free and fair elections.”
“And I have no doubt in my mind whether it‘s Maria Machado or someone else that the people of Venezuela will choose freedom,” Pence added, referring to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
As vice president, Pence backed similar opposition efforts against Maduro during the first Trump administration, and praised President Donald Trump’s capturing of Maduro.
TRUMP’S MOVE AGAINST MADURO IS WILDLY POPULAR AMONG LATIN AMERICANS, INCLUDING VENEZUELANS
But the second Trump administration is not backing Machado’s bid as Maduro’s possible successor, with President Donald Trump casting doubt on her ability to secure popular support. The CIA has also recommended that Rodriguez remain in place for the time being to ensure stability within Venezuela.
However, Trump hosted Machado in the White House last week, where she offered her Nobel Peace Prize to the president. Trump has long coveted the award, and afterward said he was “very impressed” by Machado.
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