Bipartisan U.S. Senate resolution pushes for free elections in Venezuela

A group of U.S. senators, led by Republican Ted Cruz of Texas and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, filed a resolution demanding free, fair and transparent elections in Venezuela. The measure also urges the release of all political prisoners and warns that senior officials who impede candidates should face punishment. It reflects growing criticism of the Trump administration's removal of Nicolas Maduro and the installation of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president, which many view as having failed to produce substantive change.

Talks are set to start between the interim Venezuelan government and an opposition faction, but the country's most popular opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, is not participating. Shaheen emphasized that Machado and other political actors must be allowed to return safely to take part in the process. The resolution has five co-sponsors—four Democrats and one Republican—signaling broad bipartisan concern.