By Simon Lewis and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Venezuela's electoral infrastructure was designed to rig elections and so must be quickly replaced before a valid election can be held.

Rubio said that the U.S. is "making real progress" toward establishing a legitimate electoral infrastructure in Venezuela.

Venezuela and the US are setting up a path toward elections in the South American country that would be triggered by declaring a vacancy in the office, which technically has been empty since American forces captured Nicolás Maduro in January.

CARACAS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Venezuela's ⁠acting president Delcy ⁠Rodriguez said on Monday that she ​hopes negotiations with a faction of the opposition ‌will offer space for ‌all voices to be heard, a ⁠day after ⁠opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returned to the ​country.

Experts say recovery for earthquake survivors will likely be a lifelong endeavour, given the physical and mental toll.

Venezuela’s government urged opposition leader María Corina Machado to change tack and make a positive contribution to the oil-rich South American country’s political process and economic recovery.

Trump’s approval falls to 31% ahead of US midterms Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 31 percent, its lowest level across his two presidential terms, as Americans express concern over gasoline prices ahead of the November 3 congressional elections,