Sen. Bernie Moreno: Venezuela Must Hold Elections, Calls Rodriguez Illegitimate
Sen. Moreno urges swift elections in Venezuela, dismisses Delcy Rodríguez’s legitimacy
OHIO – Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno made a televised call on Sunday, urging that Venezuela hold presidential elections “soon” and insisting that acting President Delcy Rodríguez should not be considered a legitimate leader. Moreno, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the call was a response to what he described as “ongoing political repression and corruption” by the Nicolás Maduro regime.
In a brief statement released by his office, Moreno said: “The Venezuelan people deserve a free and fair election. The interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez has no legitimacy and must be challenged.” He added that the United States should increase pressure on the Maduro administration through targeted sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Background on Venezuela’s political crisis
Venezuela has been in political turmoil since 2019, when President Maduro’s disputed re‑election sparked widespread protests and the establishment of a parallel opposition government. In March 2023, the National Assembly—controlled by the opposition—declared Maduro’s presidency illegitimate and elected Delcy Rodríguez, then the Assembly’s president, as “interim president” of the country. The move was not recognized by Maduro’s government or by many foreign governments, including the United States, which has repeatedly maintained that the Venezuelan National Assembly retains the right to appoint an interim leader but has not formally endorsed Rodríguez.
Since Rodríguez took the oath in August, she has faced significant opposition both domestically and internationally. The Maduro administration has accused her of being a puppet of the United Nations and the United States, and has labeled her as “a foreign-backed conspirator.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate has passed several resolutions condemning the Venezuelan government’s human rights abuses and urging a return to democratic governance.
Moreno’s call for elections
Sen. Moreno’s call came amid growing U.S. interest in ensuring a democratic transition in Caracas. “We cannot sit idly while the people of Venezuela are denied their basic right to choose their leaders,” Moreno said. “We need a credible, inclusive election that will restore order and peace.” He also urged the U.S. Congress to support the Venezuelan opposition’s request for a new election within the next 12 to 18 months.
The call has drawn comments from several other U.S. lawmakers. Democratic Senator Maria Mendes of New Jersey said, “We must support the Venezuelan people’s right to self‑determination, and we cannot accept the legitimacy of a government that has systematically violated human rights.” Republican Senator John Hernandez of Florida added, “The United States has a moral duty to help bring an end to the Maduro regime’s dictatorship.”
Potential U.S. policy responses
The Biden administration has indicated that it will continue to use sanctions to pressure Venezuela’s leadership, and the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has recently expanded the list of individuals and entities linked to the Maduro regime. If Moreno’s push for elections gains traction, lawmakers could consider new legislation to provide additional incentives for an international election commission or to support civil society groups on the ground.
Conversely, supporters of the Maduro government argue that foreign interference has historically destabilized Venezuela. “We will not allow another foreign power to dictate our political future,” the regime’s spokesperson said during a televised interview. “Any attempt to impose elections from outside is a direct affront to our sovereignty.”
Next steps
Senator Moreno announced that he would hold a briefing for members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee later in the week to discuss possible actions. The U.S. State Department’s press office is expected to issue a statement on the matter within the next 48 hours.
As the international community watches Venezuela’s next political steps, the debate over the legitimacy of Delcy Rodríguez and the timing of a new election continues to dominate U.S. foreign‑policy discussions. Whether Moreno’s call translates into concrete policy action remains to be seen, but his message underscores a broader congressional push for a democratic resolution in Caracas.
