Full Breakdown
Trump Says Venezuela Not Ready for Elections, Cites Progress Under Acting President
7/25/2026, 12:39:39 PM
Core Event: Trump’s July 24, 2026 Remarks on Venezuelan Elections
Trump also highlighted the volume of Venezuelan oil flowing to the United States and described the bilateral relationship as “very good.”
Background & Context
- U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro – Earlier in the year, U.S. forces detained former President Nicolás Maduro, leading to the swearing-in of Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
- Political negotiations – The ruling party and opposition met for the first time after signing a deal to hold presidential elections in 2024, though the timeline remains unsettled.
- Earthquake crisis – Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24, prompting U.S. humanitarian aid deliveries reported on July 8, 2026.
- Oil law reforms – The interim government altered Venezuela’s flagship oil law, facilitating increased exports that the United States is now purchasing.
Data & Statistics
- The World Bank estimates $19.6 billion in damages from the June earthquakes.
- oil imports, though no precise volume is provided.
Official Statements & Responses
- Donald Trump emphasized that the United States will monitor the election timeline and support Venezuela once conditions improve. He framed the U.S. role as a stabilizing presence ready to act when “the elections … are ready.”
- Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, described a three-phase plan for stabilization, noting that U.S. oversight will ensure oil revenues are disbursed to benefit the Venezuelan people rather than the regime.
- María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader, expressed solidarity with earthquake victims, saying she “cannot be there physically” but stands with families grieving the loss.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As far as the elections in Venezuela, they're not really ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made. Delcy's been doing a fantastic job,” — Donald Trump, president
- “They are not ready yet for the elections, but at some point, they will be, and we are going to be standing right on top of it,” — Donald Trump, president
- “The amount of money being made by Venezuela now is more than they have ever made before, and we are taking a lot also, you know, for our efforts,” — Donald Trump, president
- “That money will then be handled in such a way that we will control how it is disbursed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people, not corruption, not the regime, so we have a lot of leverage to move on the stabilization front,” — Marco Rubio, secretary
- “For a long time, I’ve known their country and, you know, I owned the Miss Universe pageant and Miss Venezuela always did very well in that pageant, so I know something about the country,” — Donald Trump, president
