Venezuela: The risk of changing so everything stays the same

"Fears are growing about a superficial change, where everything changes so that nothing actually changes. The official commitment to holding presidential elections remains vague. The country is still waiting for economic improvements. The early political overtures don't seem for the moment to be sufficient. Opposition politicians don't trust President Delcy Rodriguez's intentions, while reluctance persists in some sectors of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)."

"Since U.S. special forces captured Nicolas Maduro on January 3, the country has been experiencing what some would call an opening. Others, more cautiously, observe a mere reshuffling of the regime. There's been no dismantling of the repressive apparatus, nor any reinstitutionalization of key bodies, such as the National Electoral Council (CNE). Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from all sides."

"The opposition is demanding a comprehensive reinstitutionalization, which includes the renewal of the CNE, the full restoration of political rights, as well as an end to persecution. Civil society organizations are moving in the same direction: they affirm that rebuilding the state's capacity to organize and arbitrate elections has become an essential task for any transition to take place."

"The regime, for its part, hasn't set any dates or timelines. And, amid this uncertainty, the question arises again: are the changes taking place the beginning of something real, or simply a tactic to remain in power? With the United States present in Caracas, a process of political reform has begun in Venezuela, giving many people hope that there"

Venezuela’s political shift remains unclear, with fears that superficial changes may leave repression intact. Official commitments to presidential elections are vague, and economic improvements have not yet arrived. Opposition leaders distrust President Delcy Rodriguez’s intentions, while some ruling PSUV sectors remain reluctant. New scandals report political prisoners dying in official custody, intensifying shock. The country is caught in debate over what must change before elections can occur. Demands include comprehensive reinstitutionalization: renewal of the National Electoral Council, full restoration of political rights, and an end to persecution. Civil society emphasizes rebuilding the state’s capacity to organize and arbitrate elections. The regime has not provided dates or timelines, raising doubts about whether reforms are genuine or a tactic to stay in power.

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