Former Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González has called for the holding of fresh presidential elections in Venezuela as the country approaches the five-month mark of interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s administration.His appeal comes in the aftermath of a U.S.military intervention in January that led to the removal of Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent political transition.

González, who has been recognised by several countries as the legitimate winner of the July 2024 presidential elections, reiterated that Venezuela requires a new electoral process that ensures credibility and fairness.

In a message shared on social media, González stressed the need to “build the conditions” for elections that can serve as a genuine instrument for political change and help rebuild national institutions.

He emphasised that any future electoral process must include independent electoral authorities, strong national and international observation mechanisms, and full political pluralism.He also underlined that the release of political prisoners and an end to political persecution are essential conditions for credible elections.

The former diplomat, currently in exile in Spain since September 2024 after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Venezuela on charges including conspiracy and falsification of documents, continues to reject all allegations against him.

His role became prominent after opposition leader María Corina Machado was barred from contesting the elections, leading to his candidacy as her substitute.

Meanwhile, the political situation in Venezuela remains complex, with Delcy Rodríguez recognised by the United States as the country’s interim president following Maduro’s arrest and ongoing legal proceedings in the U.S.Washington and Caracas have also engaged in limited negotiations related to sanctions relief, oil, and energy cooperation.Despite these developments, there is still no official indication that new elections are being planned in Venezuela.