Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, recently expressed her strong commitment to conducting free and fair elections in the country during an interview with NBC News. Rodríguez, who assumed leadership in early January after a military operation orchestrated by the United States led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, emphasized that the scheduling of the elections would be determined through internal political dialogue. Her statements come at a time when Venezuela is facing intense scrutiny over its political processes and democratic legitimacy.

In her comments, Rodríguez assured that elections would adhere to constitutional guidelines and reflect the will of the people. However, while promoting the idea of free elections, she also defended her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, asserting that he remains Venezuela's legitimate president and denying the accusations made by the United States against him. This contradictory stance illustrates the complexities of Venezuela's current political landscape, where calls for democratic reforms are met with continued loyalty to the existing government.

Despite Rodríguez’s reassurances, international observers and media outlets like AFP have raised concerns regarding the credibility of the electoral process in Venezuela. The skepticism surrounding the government’s commitment to genuine democratic practices will likely impact the future political dynamics in the country, especially considering the existing tensions between the Venezuelan government and foreign entities advocating for political change. This situation places Rodríguez in a challenging position as she navigates the delicate balance between asserting her authority and addressing the mounting pressure for reform from both domestic and international audiences.