Venezuela’s Future Hangs in the Balance as Two Women Vie for Power
Caracas – Venezuela finds itself at a critical juncture, with two female leaders – María Corina Machado and Delcy Rodríguez – locked in a struggle for control of the nation’s future following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Special forces. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the raid and has signaled a continued interest in Venezuela’s vast oil resources.
Machado, an opposition leader and Nobel Prize laureate, rose to prominence through her vocal opposition to Maduro’s regime. She largely remained in hiding after the disputed 2024 presidential election, which saw Maduro declared the winner by government-controlled electoral authorities. Despite the contested results, Machado maintains she won the election “by a landslide,” according to a recent transcript of an interview with Politico.
Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, has stepped into the role of acting president. She faces the delicate task of navigating between appeasing Washington and maintaining support from loyalists within the Maduro regime. Sources indicate a tentative political opening has begun under her leadership, despite decades spent operating within Venezuela’s authoritarian socialist system.
The United States, under President Trump, is playing a central role in Venezuela’s transition. Trump ordered the raid that led to Maduro’s capture and has stated his intention to oversee the country’s future, even suggesting he would “run” Venezuela for years to come. He met with Machado on January 16th, accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, but reportedly dismissed her claim to leadership, suggesting she lacked sufficient support. This treatment drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress.
Despite Trump’s initial skepticism, Machado has expressed willingness to meet with Rodríguez to discuss a timetable for a democratic transition, describing the process as “irreversible.” However, Rodríguez has publicly stated that elections are not immediately planned, saying, “There will be no elections in this immediate period,” according to reports from EL PAÍS.
The dynamic between the two women is further complicated by ongoing U.S. Involvement. Trump appears comfortable working with Rodríguez, despite her ties to the previous regime, and has not committed to a timeline for elections or a democratic transition. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, this approach has raised concerns about the future of democratic reforms in Venezuela.
Rodríguez has also been working to foster a new relationship with the United States, stating that relations have been “positive” recently, as reported by Globovisión. She also indicated a willingness to work with the U.S. On a new relationship, according to venezuela-news.com.
However, Machado insists that any return to political participation must adhere to legal requirements, stating, “They must adjust to the law to return,” as reported by Yvke Mundial. This suggests potential obstacles for any opposition figures seeking to re-enter the political arena.
The situation remains fluid, with the future of Venezuela uncertain. The interplay between Machado, Rodríguez, and President Trump will be crucial in determining the path forward for the country, which has been ravaged by economic and political turmoil. The U.S. Government continues to warn against travel to Venezuela due to the risk of wrongful detention, torture, and repression, highlighting the ongoing instability and potential dangers within the nation.
