Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is expected to arrive in Washington next week. The announcement comes amidst ongoing political upheaval in Venezuela following recent U.S. actions.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked about potentially meeting with Machado in the wake of U.S. strikes in Venezuela that led to the apprehension of President Nicolas Maduro. Trump responded, “Well, she’s coming next week sometime, as I understand it, and I look forward to saying hello. I hear she wants to do that.” He described the prospect as a “great honor.”
The White House has not yet released further details regarding the potential meeting. This would mark the first official meeting between Trump and Machado, who earlier this week noted she had not spoken to the former president since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October. Trump had reportedly hoped to receive the award himself.
The future of Venezuela remains uncertain. Just days prior, Trump expressed reservations about working with Machado, stating she lacked “support or respect within the country.” He indicated that it would take time for Venezuela, currently led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, to reach a point where elections could be held.
“We have to rebuild the country. They can’t have elections… they wouldn’t even know how to have elections right now,” Trump stated.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of a bill that would prevent the Trump administration from continuing military operations against Venezuela without Congressional approval. While the vote is not final, Trump has criticized the bill as restricting his authority and hindering the defense of U.S. national security.
Inside Venezuela, interim President Rodriguez affirmed Thursday that the country is not subservient to the United States following Maduro’s ouster on January 3rd. Speaking during a ceremony honoring victims killed during the U.S. action in Caracas, Rodriguez emphasized, “We are not subordinate, nor are we subservient” to the United States, reaffirming “loyalty to President Nico.”
