Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Republican representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate, called Sunday for Venezuela to hold presidential elections and proposed July 24, 2027, as a potential date. Moreno made the comments as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Moreno said Rodríguez should not be considered a legitimate long-term leader because she previously served as Nicolás Maduro's vice president. He also cautioned that Rodríguez's cooperation with the Trump administration since Maduro's removal should not be interpreted as a lasting political alignment with Washington.

Trump and Rodríguez are expected to hold an informal meeting Tuesday in New York, marking their first face-to-face encounter since a U.S. military operation removed Maduro from power in January. Rodríguez assumed Venezuela's interim leadership following the operation.

Moreno has supported the Trump administration's economic agreement involving Venezuela's oil industry while arguing that economic cooperation should eventually be accompanied by a democratic transition. He described the oil agreement as beneficial to both Venezuelans and Americans but said an election date should also be established.

Moreno proposed July 24, the birthday of Venezuelan independence leader Simón Bolívar, as a target for presidential elections. He said establishing a specific date would give Venezuelan officials and political groups a deadline to work toward. His proposed date is not an announced election date for Venezuela.

The timing of any Venezuelan election remains unsettled. Trump has previously said Venezuela is not yet ready for elections while indicating that voting would take place in the future. The Trump administration has continued working with Rodríguez's interim government while pursuing economic and political changes following Maduro's removal.

Moreno's comments come as Washington's relationship with Rodríguez's government continues to develop. The administration is pursuing cooperation over Venezuela's oil industry while members of Congress and Venezuelan opposition figures continue to press for a transition toward elected government.