Shibbir Ahmed, New York – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Venezuela’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco, urging the release of additional political leaders, activists and other prisoners detained during the rule of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Rubio made the appeal as part of ongoing political changes in Venezuela. The meeting, held last Monday, marked Blanco’s first visit to the United States since taking office as foreign minister. Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez appointed him to the position last week.
Rodríguez has been leading Venezuela under Washington’s oversight since US forces removed Maduro from power in January. According to a statement released by the US State Department, Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela during the meeting. The first phase focuses on establishing stability in the country, the second on economic recovery, and the third on political reconciliation and democratic transition.
Before the meeting, the two foreign ministers posed for photographs in front of journalists but did not make any public statements. The State Department statement said the two officials discussed progress in ongoing political reconciliation efforts among Venezuela’s leadership. They also discussed institutional reforms considered necessary to create conditions for free, fair and credible elections.
Rubio further called for continued efforts to secure the release of political prisoners who remain behind bars in Venezuela, according to the statement. Nicolás Maduro, who came to power in 2013, faced accusations of increasingly authoritarian governance. His administration was also accused of arresting opposition leaders and activists involved in various political movements.
Many detainees were charged with offences including conspiracy to overthrow the government. Critics of the administration described several of the allegations as baseless. Since Rodríguez assumed leadership, the United States has continued to press Venezuela to release political prisoners. A significant number of detainees have been freed following the passage of a major amnesty law. However, hundreds of people are still reportedly being held in prisons.
According to the latest figures from Foro Penal, a non-governmental organization that advocates for political prisoners, Venezuela had 344 political prisoners as of September 18. Following several rounds of discussions, the Venezuelan government and opposition political leaders have said that new elections will be held in the country. However, no specific timetable has yet been announced.
Meanwhile, Oliver Blanco also met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to a statement released by the US side, their discussions focused on the latest developments in Venezuela and the prospects for implementing the Trump administration’s three-phase plan, which includes establishing stability, promoting economic recovery and facilitating political transition.
