Venezuelan Opposition Leader Praises Trump Despite US Backing of Rodriguez

Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado continues to view the Trump administration as crucial for her country's democratic future, even though Washington has endorsed acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Speaking from Chile, Machado outlined her confidence in a three-phase plan for Venezuela's transition.

Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado declared Thursday that she still views the Trump administration as crucial for her nation’s path toward democracy, despite Washington’s continued backing of acting President Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s rightful leader.

During remarks in Chile’s capital of Santiago, Machado recognized the challenging road ahead while emphasizing that the United States continues to serve as an essential partner for Venezuela. She voiced optimism about Trump’s outlined strategy, noting it includes a comprehensive approach with “three phases” covering stabilization, recovery and democratic change.

Global election monitors broadly recognize Edmundo González, who had Machado’s support, as the actual victor in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential race. Machado herself was prohibited from seeking the presidency.

These statements follow last week’s announcement that the United States and Venezuela would resume diplomatic and consular ties, along with President Trump’s praise for Rodríguez, saying she was “doing a great job, and working with U.S. Representatives very well.”

Before addressing members of the Venezuelan community living in Chile, the Nobel Peace Prize winner lauded America as the “only nation in the world that has risked the lives of its citizens to secure freedom in Venezuela,” referencing January’s U.S. military action that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Machado made the trip to Chile for the swearing-in ceremony of conservative President José Antonio Kast, and she also spoke about the massive Venezuelan exodus caused by her country’s prolonged turmoil.

“Nearly 700,000 Venezuelans live in this country. They are decent people who were forced to flee their homeland to save their lives,” she stated. “What we are doing here today is asking all Chileans — and all Latin Americans — to help us ensure that every Venezuelan can return with dignity and freedom to the country they adore and that desperately needs them.”

Her visit occurred just one day after Kast took office with promises to make unauthorized immigration a criminal offense and remove approximately 330,000 undocumented foreigners from Chile, most of whom are Venezuelan nationals. Even with these strict immigration positions, Machado said she was “very grateful to President Kast,” stating that “every country has the right — indeed, the duty — to guarantee its own security.”