Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reaffirmed her determination to lead the country, saying she will become president “when the right time comes,” even as Washington engages with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez instead of formally backing her.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said she remains determined to lead the country and believes she will become president “when the right time comes,” despite Washington moving ahead without formally backing her.
Speaking to Fox News, Machado said she has a clear mandate and vowed to transform Venezuela, adding that she hopes to become the country’s first woman president. “There’s a mission, and we are going to turn Venezuela into that land of grace. I believe I will be elected when the right time comes,” she said.
Her remarks came a day after she presented President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, describing it as recognition of his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom. The gesture followed the US operation on January 3 that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and his transfer to New York to face drug trafficking and weapons charges.
However, Trump has declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, arguing that she lacks sufficient domestic support, despite her opposition movement claiming victory in the disputed 2024 elections. Instead, Washington has engaged with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice-president.
Machado said she is willing to serve Venezuela “wherever I am most useful,” insisting that the mandate she claims has not disappeared. During her visit to Washington, she met US lawmakers and was greeted by supporters chanting “María, presidente” and waving Venezuelan flags.
Meanwhile in Caracas, Rodríguez held talks with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, reportedly at Trump’s direction, aimed at building trust and improving communication between the two countries. A US official said discussions included possible economic cooperation and ensuring Venezuela does not become a safe haven for America’s adversaries.
Rodríguez, in her first state of the union address as interim president, said she was ready to engage the US through diplomatic dialogue and announced oil sector reforms to allow greater foreign investment, marking a shift from Maduro’s policies. Trump later described Rodríguez as a “terrific person” following a phone call the Venezuelan leader said was “productive and courteous.”
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