Trump says Venezuela is not ready for elections, but has made progress

WASHINGTON, July 24 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters Venezuela was not ready to hold elections, but added that the country had made a lot of progress under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Last month the ruling party and opposition members met for the first time since the two sides signed a deal to hold 2024 presidential elections.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accused of rigging the vote, was seized by U.S. forces in January. Washington left the government in place without announcing plans for free elections.

"As far as the elections in Venezuela, they're not really ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made. Delcy's been doing a fantastic job," Trump told reporters in the White House.

Trump said that when the country was ready for a vote, "we're going to be standing right on top of it". REUTERS