World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Rubio meets Venezuela’s foreign minister as election preparations gather pace
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday.
The meeting came two weeks after Venezuela’s government and opposition agreed on an electoral reform plan intended to support free and fair elections.
Those elections could take place in 2027, though no date has been set.
The Trump administration is pressing both sides to move quickly and follow the new process.
Venezuela is led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who took over after a U.S. military raid captured then-President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Maduro was brought to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, which he denies.
Rubio says the aim is to build an election process all sides trust, and the administration says it will keep watching events and urging compliance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on November 2.
Rubio called for the continued release of political prisoners and discussed Venezuela’s political transition.
The talks included progress on reforms intended to support free and fair elections.
Venezuelan authorities and opposition figures have agreed on an electoral reform blueprint, with elections expected at some point in 2027.
A tally by Foro Penal said 344 political prisoners remained in Venezuela as of September 18.
- Who
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco.
- What
- They discussed Venezuela’s political transition, election preparations and the release of political prisoners.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The U.S. State Department in Washington.
- Why
- The Trump administration is pressing for progress on election preparations and political reconciliation in Venezuela.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
U.S. forces ousted Nicolás Maduro in a military operation and brought him to the United States.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright met Delcy Rodríguez and Venezuelan officials in Caracas to seal an oil deal.
Rodríguez met U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
Venezuelan authorities and opposition figures agreed on a blueprint for electoral reform, according to the articles.
Rubio met Blanco in Washington to discuss political reconciliation, election preparations and political prisoners.
- Meeting date
- November 2, 2026
- Meeting place
- U.S. State Department, Washington
- Venezuelan foreign minister
- Oliver Blanco
- Election blueprint
- Agreed by Venezuelan authorities and opposition figures
- Possible election year
- 2027
- Political prisoners
- Foro Penal counted 344 as of September 18
4 sources
Rubio meets with Venezuela's foreign minister, urges release of more political prisoners
Rubio meets Venezuelan counterpart as U.S. presses for progress on election preparations
Rubio meets new Venezuelan foreign minister, urges release of political prisoners
Rubio meets Venezuelan counterpart in Washington
What people are saying
Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the President’s three-phase plan for Venezuela: stabilisation, 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
Secretary Rubio urged the continued release of the remaining political prisoners in Venezuela