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Opposition leader asserts right to govern Venezuela
Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado declared her coalition should assume control of the country following the U.S. military's removal of President Nicolás Maduro last week. In an interview with CBS, Machado stated, "We are ready and willing to serve our people as we have been mandated."
Praise for U.S. intervention amid political divide
Machado, last year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, commended U.S. President Donald Trump for his "leadership and courage" in orchestrating Maduro's arrest. She framed the operation as "a major step towards restoring prosperity and rule of law and democracy in Venezuela."
Despite her gratitude, Trump has publicly dismissed Machado's viability as a leader, citing a lack of domestic support. "She doesn't have the respect within the country," Trump said at a recent press conference, though he acknowledged her as "a very nice woman."
Dispute over interim leadership
Machado rejected the appointment of Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, as interim leader. Rodríguez, now sanctioned by the U.S., was sworn in Monday after Maduro's arrest. Machado accused her of being "one of the main architects of repression" in Venezuela, a claim Rodríguez has not addressed in detail.
Rodríguez countered U.S. influence in a televised address Tuesday, asserting, "The Venezuelan government rules our country, and no-one else does."
Opposition's electoral claims and military concerns
Machado's coalition backed Edmundo González in the 2024 presidential election, releasing vote tallies that showed a landslide victory. However, Venezuela's electoral council, dominated by Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the winner. The U.S. and dozens of other nations recognized González as president-elect.
David Smolansky, an opposition spokesperson, told BBC Radio 4 that González and Machado are essential for a democratic transition, citing their international credibility. When asked about Trump's support for Rodríguez, Smolansky acknowledged the transition's messiness but noted that factions within Venezuela's military-both active and exiled-are prepared to collaborate with the opposition.
Uncertainty over Venezuela's future
Machado, who has been in hiding since being barred from the 2024 election, has not spoken with Trump this year. Her coalition's path to power remains unclear, with U.S. backing for Rodríguez complicating the opposition's claims. Analysts warn that military loyalty and international recognition will be pivotal in determining Venezuela's next government.
