Rubio Meets Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Pushes For 2027 Elections And Political Reforms

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday as the Trump administration stepped up pressure on Venezuela's interim government and opposition groups to prepare for elections expected to take place in 2027.

The meeting at the State Department came nearly two weeks after Venezuelan authorities and opposition representatives agreed on a blueprint to reform the country's electoral system and create conditions for free and fair elections. The two officials discussed progress in reconciliation talks and institutional reforms needed to ensure credible elections, according to a State Department statement.

Rubio also urged Venezuela's interim government to release the remaining political prisoners as part of the country's political transition. The meeting marked one of the highest-level engagements between the Trump administration and officials serving under acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

The issue of political prisoners remains a major concern in Venezuela. According to human rights organisation Foro Penal, 344 political prisoners were still being held in the country as of September 18. The interim government has previously released more than 1,000 prisoners following reconciliation talks and announced further releases.

Rubio said last week that Venezuela's existing electoral infrastructure was designed to manipulate elections and needed to be replaced before a credible vote could take place. He also stressed that Washington would closely monitor the process and encourage all sides to honour their commitments.

The United States has outlined a three-phase approach to Venezuela involving stabilisation, economic recovery and political reconciliation, followed by a democratic transition. However, neither the government nor opposition representatives have announced a specific date for the proposed elections.

Blanco also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday. Their discussions focused on Venezuela's economic recovery and opportunities to increase energy production.

The diplomatic engagement follows a series of contacts between Washington and Caracas since US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in January. Maduro was taken to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, which he denies.

Rodríguez assumed power after Maduro's removal. She met US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright also visited Caracas in August and met Venezuelan officials as part of an agreement involving the country's oil sector.

Rubio has separately held discussions with Venezuelan parliamentary leaders and opposition figure María Corina Machado, who returned to Venezuela last month. Washington's latest engagement comes as the country faces pressure to establish an electoral framework that can secure the confidence of both the government and opposition ahead of the proposed 2027 vote.