Maduro Is Gone. Now Finish the Job: Venezuela Needs a Date for Free Elections
Nine months after U.S. forces removed a dictator, Washington has the embassy, the oil deal and the leverage. In our view, the next American win is a firm election timetable.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Senior Features Writer | October 4, 2026 | 6-min read On Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. forces carried out an operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to the United States [1]. Since then, America has reopened its embassy in Caracas and secured a stake in Venezuela's oil. What Venezuelans still do not have is a date to choose their own president. Key Takeaways Since U.S. forces captured Maduro, Washington has reopened its embassy in Caracas, secured prisoner releases and struck an oil deal that gives the Pentagon rights to a 35% stake in a major producer [1][2][3][6]. But Venezuela still has no date for a presidential election, opposition leader María Corina Machado has not been able to return home, and protests are rising [4]. In our view, President Trump's strategy has worked so far. Now he should use America's leverage to lock in a timetable for free elections. Why this matters: a free, stable Venezuela in our own hemisphere is a win for American security and American energy. A stalled transition risks handing the old regime a second life. The next few months decide which one we get. A Dictator Removed The administration has described the January operation as a law enforcement mission supported by the military [1]. In our view, it was one of the boldest and most successful American operations in this hemisphere