WASHINGTON — Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado declared on Friday that her nation is embarking on an authentic democratic transformation, asserting this pivotal shift would be realized through American backing and President Donald Trump’s support. Her statements emerged amidst a complex geopolitical landscape where Washington’s alliances within Venezuela appear increasingly multifaceted.
Speaking at a Washington gathering, the Nobel Peace laureate emphasized that Venezuela’s progression toward democracy would generate substantial repercussions for its citizens while resonating across the Western Hemisphere and globally. This optimistic proclamation contrasted sharply with the current administration’s diplomatic approach, which has notably favored former vice president Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader following the US military intervention that deposed President Nicolas Maduro on January 3.
The political dynamics reveal a significant divergence in American strategy. While the Trump administration has thrown its support behind Rodriguez—contingent on her cooperation regarding access to Venezuela’s extensive petroleum reserves—Machado’s party has persistently documented evidence supporting their claims of Maduro’s electoral manipulation during the 2024 presidential race, allegations that have gained traction within international circles.
In a revealing development, US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe conducted discreet talks with Rodriguez in Caracas, with an anonymous administration official characterizing the diplomatic engagement as an effort to foster improved bilateral relations. This thawing relationship manifested concretely through the arrival of a US deportation flight carrying 231 Venezuelans—the first since Maduro’s ouster.
Machado’s diplomatic efforts included a personal gesture toward President Trump, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a White House luncheon. While the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains that awards are non-transferable, the opposition leader described the symbolic presentation as an emotional moment representing gratitude from the Venezuelan people.
The political landscape remains characterized by competing narratives. Rodriguez has simultaneously embraced diplomatic dialogue while asserting her government’s willingness to challenge Washington when necessary, delivering Maduro’s state of the nation address to parliament while the former leader faces incarceration in New York on narcotics trafficking charges.