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Machado reaffirms presidential ambitions amid political shift
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has declared she will assume the presidency "when the right time comes," framing her bid as part of a broader movement to restore democracy in the country.
In an interview with Fox News, Machado stated, "There's a mission, and we are going to turn Venezuela into that land of grace. I believe I will be elected as president of Venezuela-the first woman president-when the moment is right."
US seizure of Maduro triggers leadership standoff
Machado's remarks follow the 3 January arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. authorities in Caracas. Maduro was extradited to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons violations.
Despite her opposition coalition's claim of victory in Venezuela's 2024 disputed elections, U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to endorse Machado, citing insufficient domestic support. Instead, the White House has engaged with interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president.
Trump's Iraq analogy shapes Venezuela strategy
Trump defended his decision to work with Rodríguez over Machado during a press briefing on Friday, invoking the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq as a cautionary tale. "If you ever remember Iraq, where everybody was fired-the police, the generals-it led to chaos and the rise of ISIS," he said.
A U.S. official confirmed that Rodríguez met with CIA Director Gina Ratcliffe on Friday at Trump's request. The discussion, described as "productive," focused on economic collaboration and curbing Venezuela's role as a haven for U.S. adversaries.
Machado and Rodríguez stake rival visions for Venezuela
Addressing supporters in Washington, Machado dismissed tensions with Rodríguez as secondary to the broader struggle against Maduro's "criminal regime." She predicted an "orderly transition" and pledged Venezuela would become "the best ally the U.S. has ever had in the Americas."
"This is about a criminal structure-that is the regime-and the Venezuelan people. I am just one member of a movement of millions."
María Corina Machado
In Caracas, Rodríguez delivered her first state of the union address since assuming interim leadership. She vowed to engage the U.S. "diplomatically" while defending Venezuela's "dignity and honor." Key policy shifts included oil industry reforms to attract foreign investment, reversing Maduro's restrictive economic policies.
Trump's mixed signals on Venezuelan leadership
Trump praised Rodríguez as a "terrific person" after a phone call on Wednesday, calling their conversation "productive and courteous." However, he later described Machado as a "wonderful woman who has been through so much," acknowledging her gift of a Nobel Peace Prize medal as a "gesture of mutual respect."
The contrasting statements underscore the delicate balancing act as the U.S. navigates Venezuela's fractured political landscape.
