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Venezuela's political landscape shifted dramatically over the weekend when U.S. military forces captured longtime president Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York for trial on drug trafficking and other charges. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump, has sparked both celebration among opposition supporters and fierce international criticism for bypassing diplomatic norms.
On Monday, in her first major public appearance since the events, María Corina Machado told Fox News host Sean Hannity that she plans to return to Venezuela "as soon as possible." The opposition leader, widely seen as the moral force behind the anti-Maduro movement, rejected the idea of current interim president Delcy Rodríguez—a former Maduro vice president—as a legitimate transitional figure.
"She is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narcotrafficking," Machado said of Rodríguez, who has signaled willingness to cooperate with Washington. Machado insisted that the Venezuelan people overwhelmingly back the opposition and predicted a landslide victory of "over 90%" in any free and fair election.
A Vision for Energy Leadership
At the heart of Machado's message was an economic promise rooted in Venezuela's vast natural resources. "We will turn Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas," she declared, emphasizing the country's proven status as holding the world's largest oil reserves.
Machado pledged to dismantle criminal networks linked to the previous regime, restore institutional integrity, and create conditions for millions of Venezuelans who fled economic collapse and repression to return home. Her vision contrasts sharply with years of sanctions, hyperinflation, and oil industry decline under Maduro.
Tensions with the Trump Administration
Despite praising Trump's role in Maduro's removal—Machado has previously said the U.S. president "deserves" recognition alongside her Nobel Prize—the opposition leader faces an unexpected obstacle in Washington. Reports indicate President Trump has declined to fully endorse Machado as Venezuela's next leader, citing internal assessments that she lacks sufficient broad support. Instead, the administration appears to favor Delcy Rodríguez as a pragmatic interim choice willing to align with U.S. interests.
Machado confirmed she has not spoken directly with Trump since October 2025, when he congratulated her on the Nobel Prize.
Latest Development
The international community remains divided. While many Latin American democracies and Western allies have welcomed Maduro's removal, others—including several UN Security Council members—have condemned the unilateral U.S. military action as a violation of sovereignty.
As Venezuela stands at a historic crossroads, the coming weeks will reveal whether Machado's democratic vision prevails or if pragmatic realpolitik shapes the nation's fragile transition.