In a significant development for the ongoing Venezuelan crisis, former US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's capacity to lead the country, casting doubt on plans for swift democratic elections following the ousting of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump's Dismissal and Machado's Vow to Return
Speaking from the White House, Trump ruled out holding snap elections in Venezuela within the next 30 days, asserting that "We have to fix the country first." His comments directly counter Machado's calls for "free and fair elections" to facilitate a transition of power.
Trump elaborated on his stance over the weekend, questioning Machado's suitability. "She doesn’t have the support within, or the respect within, the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect," he stated.
Meanwhile, Machado, who remains in Norway after travelling to accept the Nobel Peace Prize last month, told Fox News on Monday evening of her intention to return. "I'm planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible," she declared.
Geopolitical Ramifications and Regional Fears
The situation follows a dramatic US military operation on January 3rd, which saw Delta Force capture Maduro and his wife in Caracas. They were transported to New York, where Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug charges on Monday, claiming he was "kidnapped" and a "prisoner of war."
Trump has framed the intervention within a revived Monroe Doctrine framework, claiming the US has "superseded it by a lot." This assertive posture has sparked international concern. Following the operation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Cuba's government was "in a lot of trouble," and Trump has renewed calls for a US takeover of Greenland while threatening military action against Colombia, unsettling allies and adversaries alike.
Internal Assessments and Political Maneuvering
Behind the scenes, a reported CIA intelligence assessment has influenced Trump's stance. The analysis, cited by The Wall Street Journal, suggested that Maduro's senior allies, such as newly sworn-in President Delcy Rodriguez, are better positioned to maintain short-term stability than Machado. The assessment argued Machado and her 2024 stand-in candidate, Edmundo González, would face significant resistance from pro-regime forces.
Further complicating Machado's position are reports from White House sources to The Washington Post, suggesting Trump lost interest in supporting her after she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. One source claimed "If she had turned it down... she’d be the president of Venezuela today." In a bid to regain favour, Machado has lavished praise on Trump and suggested she would like to "share" her Nobel prize with him.
As the political drama unfolds, Machado's Vente Venezuela movement has demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners in the country, estimated by rights groups to number 863. The international community, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, now faces the delicate dilemma of balancing defence of international law with the pragmatic need to manage relations with the Trump administration.
