Strategy for supporting free and fair elections in Venezuela

The Secretary of State shall develop and submit to Congress a strategy that— (1) updates, with input from the appropriate congressional committees, the Democratic Transition Framework for Venezuela, which was originally published by the Department of State on March 31, 2020; (2) uses all available diplomatic tools— (A) to facilitate a new presidential election in Venezuela in 2026 that complies with international standards for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process; (B) to end the Maduro-Rodriguez regime’s usurpation of presidential authorities; (C) to restore democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela; (D) to free political prisoners and prisoners of conscience from incarceration in Venezuela; and (E) to facilitate the consistent delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela; (3) outlines benchmarks towards a democratic transition in Venezuela; (4) provides a detailed assessment of Venezuelan government institutions, political prisoners, detention and torture centers, armed groups, and laws used to repress political opposition; (5) outlines the next steps that need to be taken in Venezuela— (A) to coordinate international sanctions; (B) to close torture centers; (C) to ensure the Venezuelan military respects the results of free and fair presidential elections; (D) to establish mechanisms for institutional reform; (E) to guarantee the safe return of opposition leaders, including María Corina Machado; and (F) to provide pathways for transitional justice and accountability; and (6) requires transparency and monthly reporting to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the transition to democracy in Venezuela, including— (A) closely monitoring energy-related negotiations; and (B) tracking progress made toward achieving certain democratic benchmarks.