Washington (United States) (AFP) - The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, this Monday called on the new Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Oliver Blanco, to Caracas to continue with the process of releasing political prisoners, in their first meeting in Washington.

First modification: 02/11/2026 - 23:59

"Secretary Rubio urged the continuation of the release of political prisoners who are still detained in Venezuela," the State Department statement said.

Blanco was named last week as the new head of Venezuelan diplomacy by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who promoted, under pressure from Washington, an amnesty that has allowed the release of hundreds of political prisoners.

This was Blanco's first trip to Washington after taking office.

Rubio and Blanco posed briefly before the press, without giving any type of statement.

Rubio "reaffirmed the President's [Donald Trump] three-phase plan for Venezuela: stabilization, economic recovery and political reconciliation, and democratic transition," the text recalled.

That plan was announced by Rubio shortly after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a US military operation in Venezuela on January 3.

"Both addressed progress in the reconciliation talks led by Venezuela, including institutional reforms that lay the foundation for free, fair and credible elections," the text added.

Washington initially focused its efforts on achieving the liberalization of the Venezuelan oil sector, coinciding with its military campaign against Iran, which caused a large rise in crude oil prices.

The interim government of Delcy Rodríguez quickly collaborated with Washington, which then progressively imposed a political agenda.

Washington urged the release of hundreds of detainees for political reasons who remain in Venezuela, as well as the creation of a dialogue table with a view to a democratic transition.

A few weeks ago, Rubio received Dinorah Figuera, head of the opposition bench in talks with the ruling party, at the State Department.

Both the government and the opposition have confirmed that Venezuela will hold presidential elections, without specifying when.

Senior diplomatic officials of the United States anticipate that the country's highest court and the electoral body will first be renewed, between now and the end of the year, and then move on to holding those elections.

© 2026 AFP

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