Cruz presses for rapid, free Venezuelan elections amid U.S. oil plan

Sen. Ted Cruz urged Venezuela to hold free and fair elections by mid-next year, saying democracy must proceed even as the U.S. advances a plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves; he praised the 65-billion-barrel oil deal for potential benefits to the U.S. economy and gas prices, while insisting elections should not be delayed. He reiterated Maduro’s illegitimacy, supported a rapid electoral process, and also touched on Iran and his own potential 2028 presidential run.