Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado held her first formal news conference since fleeing Venezuela in December 2025, using the occasion to reassure the United States of her steadfast support and outline a vision for a future Venezuela closely aligned with US interests.
The conference comes in the wake of former President Nicolas Maduro’s abduction during a US military operation on January 3, 2026, and amid ongoing debates over Venezuela’s democratic transition.
Machado Meets with President Trump
On Thursday, Machado traveled to the White House for a private lunch with US President Donald Trump, where discussions focused on Venezuela’s political future and US support for a transitional government.
Speaking at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank known for its Project 2025 blueprint for Trump’s second term, Machado said:
“The result of a stable transition will be a proud Venezuela who is going to be the best ally the United States has ever had in the Americas.”
Machado highlighted her belief that Venezuelan democracy can only be restored with US backing, framing the intervention and subsequent support as crucial for the country’s stability.
Support for US Military Intervention
Since Maduro’s return to office, Trump escalated US pressure, including a military buildup in the Caribbean and targeted strikes on alleged drug-trafficking operations. The January 3 operation in Caracas, which resulted in Maduro’s abduction and transport to New York for trial, was framed by the US as a law enforcement operation, though critics have denounced it as a violation of international law.
Machado expressed gratitude to Trump for the intervention, stating:
“As Venezuelans, we are absolutely grateful to President Trump, his team, his administration and the people of the United States because it took a lot of courage to do what he did.”
She emphasized that Trump’s actions reflected concern for both Venezuelan citizens and US interests.
Navigating a Complex Democratic Transition
Machado described Venezuela’s political situation as a “complex, delicate process”, acknowledging that the interim government of Delcy Rodriguez—Maduro’s former deputy—would carry out the “dirty work” of dismantling the previous regime while maintaining stability.
“Delcy Rodriguez, yes, she’s a communist. She’s the main ally of the Russian regime, the Chinese, and Iranians,” Machado said.
“But that’s not the Venezuelan people, and that’s not the armed forces as well. So I am profoundly confident we will have an orderly transition.”
She stressed her coalition’s commitment to a legitimate government mandate and the ongoing coordination with opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, whom Machado said won the 2024 election in a landslide according to opposition data.
Addressing Migration and Human Rights
Machado also focused on Venezuelan migration, arguing that restoring democracy would allow millions of refugees to return home, easing pressures on the United States.
“It’s clearly in the best interest of the United States, and those concerned about migration, to have a transition take place as soon as possible. Millions will come back home,” she said.
Machado criticized the Rodriguez government’s human rights record, noting that nearly 400 political prisoners were “released”, but remained silenced or restricted from leaving the country. She called for:
- Closure of all torture centers
- Guarantees for freedom of the press
- The return of exiled politicians, including Gonzalez Urrutia, to power
Machado’s Pro-American Vision
Throughout her address, Machado underscored that Venezuela’s future would be “profoundly pro-American” and built on principles of merit, economic opportunity, and reduced reliance on state handouts.
She said the country would emerge from Maduro’s era with a focus on economic recovery, democratic governance, and international alignment with US policies.
“The only thing I want to assure the Venezuelan people is that Venezuela is going to be free, and that’s going to be achieved with the support of the people of the United States and President Donald Trump,” Machado concluded.
Key Takeaways
- Maria Corina Machado held her first post-exile news conference, emphasizing a US-aligned Venezuela.
- She expressed gratitude for the US military operation that removed Maduro and endorsed Trump’s continued role in the transition.
- Machado described the transition phase as complex, with Delcy Rodriguez’s interim government performing transitional tasks.
- She highlighted the importance of migration policy reform, human rights protections, and return of Venezuelan exiles.
- Machado’s vision frames Venezuela as a pro-American nation with economic stability and democratic governance as central pillars.
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