Washington, January 17, 2026 – The Europe Today: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reaffirmed her commitment to becoming Venezuela’s president “when the right time comes,” even as the United States has shifted its backing toward interim leader Delcy Rodríguez following the U.S. military operation that ousted President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, according to multiple foreign media reports.
Speaking to U.S. media during her visit to Washington, Machado insisted she remains confident in her mandate and prospects, declaring her belief that she will be elected the country’s first female president when conditions permit. Her comments came after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and addressing supporters on Friday.
Machado’s political movement has presented evidence alleging electoral fraud in the controversial 2024 presidential election, a claim supported by Washington and much of the international community. Nevertheless, President Trump has publicly stated that Machado does not currently command sufficient support among Venezuelans to lead the nation, and has instead backed Delcy Rodríguez—former vice president under Maduro—as interim president amid the ongoing transitional phase.
During her Washington engagements, Machado also made a symbolic gesture by presenting her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump, a moment widely covered in international media. Reports note that the Nobel Institute has affirmed that the award cannot be officially transferred, but the gesture underscored Machado’s attempt to cement U.S. attention and goodwill toward her vision for Venezuela’s democratic future.
The Trump administration’s support for Rodríguez, who has taken on the role of interim president following Maduro’s removal and subsequent legal proceedings in the United States, reflects Washington’s current prioritization of stability and cooperation, particularly around Venezuelan oil interests, even as debates continue over the country’s democratic transition. U.S. officials, including the CIA director, have engaged directly with Rodríguez’s government in Caracas, underscoring the evolving dynamics of U.S.–Venezuela relations in the aftermath of Maduro’s ouster.
Machado has maintained her stance that Venezuela’s path to freedom and democracy will require inclusive political participation and international support, while critics argue that the current transitional arrangements present both opportunities and challenges for the country’s future governance.
