US announces when elections will be held in Venezuela

The White House has said it is too early to say when elections might be held in Venezuela, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said on Tuesday (January 13).

Levitt's comments come as Venezuela's controversial opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, is set to meet with US President Donald Trump next Thursday (January 15).

Trump has not yet announced a specific date for the election, amid the situation that has arisen since the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro.

Asked whether Trump has confidence in Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, Levitt said Trump has taken the necessary steps based on a "very accurate and realistic assessment" of Venezuela's leadership.

He also noted that Rodriguez and his team are being "quite cooperative" with the United States, citing the energy deal signed last week as an example.

"We have seen an excellent level of cooperation between the two countries, and the President expects this trend to continue in the future," Levitt said.