Machado calls for Venezuela presidential elections in 2027, saying there is enough time before July

A 2027 vote and a July timetable

María Corina Machado called for presidential elections next year in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday. She argued there was "more than enough time" to prepare a vote by July, and she backed a proposal to hold the election on 24 July, the birthday of Simón Bolívar, the hero of Venezuela's independence struggle. The exiled opposition leader, who is based in Panama, framed the dispute with Washington as one of pace rather than purpose. Asked about the gap, she said the disagreement was about timing.

Things could move faster and steadily without any risk of instability in the country.

The Trump administration has said it wants a political transition but has not outlined an election timetable. Trump has previously said Machado lacks support inside Venezuela, calling her a very nice woman. Machado remains the most popular politician in Venezuela, according to the FT.

Oil revenue and transparency

Machado also called for transparency in how proceeds from Venezuela's oil sales are managed. Washington has overseen those revenues since January, but the Trump administration has not disclosed how much it has collected or disbursed. Some opposition members are increasingly frustrated with the US approach, including a recent deal that hands control of part of the country's vast oil reserves to a private company backed by the Pentagon.

Machado argued that Washington and Venezuelans share a common goal on the country's future.

The US government and the Venezuelan people all agree that the only way to make this sustainable and a real victory is to turn Venezuela into a stable democracy.

Asked whether she wanted more transparency, she said:

Certainly, and I think that's something that Venezuelan people are demanding as well.

She added that large-scale investment could be unlocked with a legitimate government. Machado risks being sidelined if she openly breaks with the Trump administration.

Maduro, Rodríguez and the interim government

US special forces arrested Nicolás Maduro in a night-time operation in early January. He and his wife Cilia Flores remain in jail in New York awaiting trial on drug-trafficking charges, which they deny. US authorities added torture conspiracy charges this week, and their trial is expected to begin next year. Delcy Rodríguez, who had been Maduro's vice president, took office as acting president at the National Assembly after the attack, and Trump formally recognised her government in March.

At the UN General Assembly in September, Rodríguez said Venezuela would hold elections but gave no date. She said her government had started talks with opposition groups and would guarantee the participation of all political forces on equal terms, while national institutions were being prepared for the electoral process.

Stalled return and polling

Machado has not returned to Venezuela since she left in December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. According to her associates, at least seven attempts to return failed when trips were called off at the last minute. She rejected suggestions that the United States is blocking her return. Supporters have recently held demonstrations demanding her return and faster elections.

A Meganalisis poll cited by the FT and published in October put Machado at 61.2% and Rodríguez at 3.1%.