Venezuelan opposition demands elections after Maduro ouster

A Venezuelan flag waves in the wind atop the National Assembly palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela’s opposition on Friday called for presidential elections, noting that the 90-day legal period for organizing a vote to replace ousted leader Nicolas Maduro had elapsed.

In a statement, the Vente party of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado noted the “absolute absence” of Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces in a Jan. 3 raid.

“Therefore, presidential elections must be called within 30 days of this declaration,” Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado’s party said.

Maduro’s former vice president Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president on Jan. 5, two days after longtime socialist leader Maduro was flown out of Venezuela by U.S. forces to face trial in New York.

He has appeared in court twice since then to answer drug trafficking charges.

The Venezuelan constitution says that “temporary absences of the president of the republic shall be filled by the executive vice president for up to 90 days, extendable by decision of the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.”

“If a temporary absence lasts for more than 90 consecutive days, the National Assembly shall decide by a majority vote of its members whether it should be considered a permanent absence,” says Article 234 of the constitution, which was cited by Vente.