WASHINGTON, CARACAS – Reports circulating in political and media circles suggest that Washington has increased pressure on Venezuela's current leadership, including Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, to accelerate political and institutional reforms as part of the country's ongoing transition process.
According to the reports, the proposed reform agenda includes eliminating indefinite presidential re-election, restoring a bicameral legislature with both deputies and senators, restructuring the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), replacing senior police leadership, reforming security agencies, returning party headquarters and symbols to political organizations, creating conditions for the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado, and completing the release of political prisoners. However, no official confirmation has been issued by Washington regarding the existence of a comprehensive reform package.
The reports also mention a possible reduction in the number of government ministries and the creation of a special fund aimed at improving salaries and wages for public sector workers.
No Official Confirmation
While the reports have generated significant discussion, neither the U.S. government nor Venezuelan authorities have publicly confirmed the full list of alleged demands.
What is publicly known is that Washington and Caracas have engaged in increasing levels of cooperation since the political upheaval that followed the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. Since then, Delcy Rodríguez has overseen several economic and institutional changes, including reforms in the energy sector, partial political amnesties, and the release of some political prisoners.
Political analysts note that many of the reforms reportedly under discussion would directly affect structures that have formed the backbone of Chavismo, the political movement founded by former President Hugo Chávez.
Using Chavismo to Transform Chavismo
Observers increasingly describe the current strategy as one in which Washington is relying on elements within the Chavista establishment itself to gradually dismantle parts of the system from within.
Rather than pursuing a complete and immediate break with the existing power structure, the approach appears to focus on working with figures already inside the government while encouraging institutional reforms step by step. Several analysts have noted that a number of reforms implemented since January have already reduced or altered policies associated with the Chávez and Maduro eras.
Supporters of the strategy argue that a gradual transition may offer greater stability and reduce the risk of political unrest. Critics, however, contend that reforms have moved too slowly and that key democratic institutions remain under the influence of the existing ruling structure.
Transition Enters Critical Phase
Recent reports indicate that international attention is increasingly focused on whether Venezuela will move toward competitive elections and broader democratic reforms or whether the current arrangement will evolve into a modified version of the existing political system.
Although many of the reported reform proposals remain unconfirmed, analysts agree that pressure for additional political and institutional changes is growing. Whether those reforms materialize could determine the direction of Venezuela's transition in the months ahead.
For now, the reported message from Washington appears clear: cooperation and economic normalization may continue, but expectations for deeper political reforms are increasing as Venezuela's transition enters what many observers describe as a decisive phase.