Washington praises progress in political reconciliation talks in Venezuela and calls for reforms paving the way for free elections

Washington, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday praised the progress made in political reconciliation talks between Venezuela’s interim authorities, led by current National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, and representatives of the 2015-elected National Assembly, calling for continued political and electoral reforms to pave the way for free, fair, and credible elections in the country. This came in a statement issued by the U.S. State Department following Rubio’s meeting with the 2015 National Assembly President, Dianne Velazquez, in Washington. The statement noted that Rubio commended “the courageous leadership demonstrated by Velazquez in advancing political reconciliation following (Operation Absolute Resolve),” referring to the swift U.S. military operation carried out on January 3 last year in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their residence in the capital, Caracas, and their transfer to the United States, where they are currently standing trial in New York. Rubio also welcomed the “tangible” progress achieved during the first and second rounds of talks with the interim authorities, held in Caracas in August and September last year. He highlighted steps taken this year in Venezuela, such as the establishment of an independent supreme court of justice, the release of more than 1,200 political prisoners, the restoration of access to previously blocked media outlets, and efforts to reform the anti-hate law, as important milestones toward restoring fundamental freedoms for the Venezuelan people. Looking ahead to the next round of talks beginning on October 14, the U.S. secretary of state urged “continued progress in the areas of political freedoms and electoral reform, thereby paving the way for free, fair, and credible elections in Venezuela.” The statement also noted that both sides reaffirmed “their commitment to building on the momentum gained by the talks and turning this historic opportunity into lasting democratic change for the Venezuelan people.” (End) R.S.R. / M.A.A.