Rubio meets Venezuelan foreign minister on political transition
The meeting focused on reconciliation talks, institutional reforms and the release of political prisoners still held in Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday to discuss the country's political future and the path to elections, the State Department said.
Rubio restated Washington's support for President Donald Trump's three-phase plan for Venezuela, which begins with stabilization and economic recovery, moves to political reconciliation and ends with a democratic transition, the department said.
The two sides reviewed progress in reconciliation talks led by Venezuelans, including institutional reforms meant to lay the groundwork for votes that are fair and credible, the department said in a statement.
Rubio also urged Caracas to keep freeing political prisoners who remain in custody, the department said.
The meeting came as officials from Washington and Venezuela continue discussions on reconciliation, institutional reform and how the country will be governed.
The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3 after months of rising tension between Washington and Caracas.
Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez was then sworn in as interim president, and the government changed the country's main oil law and freed some political prisoners.
Maduro had led Venezuela since 2013, when he succeeded the late Hugo Chavez, and his disputed 2024 election victory had already drawn widespread international criticism.
