María Corina Machado

Doce días ⁤después de la intervención‌ militar en Venezuela para capturar⁤ en Caracas al presidente venezolano, Nicolás Maduro, y ⁢a su esposa,‌ Cilia Flores, y también, de que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, echara un jarro de agua⁣ fría sobre las esperanzas de la líder de la oposición y premio Nobel de la Paz, María Corina Machado, ambos se ‌vieron este jueves las caras en la Casa Blanca.

Machado llegó al ⁤recinto vestida de blanco y por una puerta lateral a eso del mediodía. Lo hizo al día siguiente de que Trump declarara en un encuentro con la prensa que considera a la líder chavista Delcy Rodríguez, presidenta interina, ‌una “persona estupenda”,⁢ y de añadir que Estados ‌unidos “trabaja muy⁣ bien​ con ella” desde que esta, vicepresidenta con Maduro, tomó los mandos de Venezuela con la bendición de⁣ la Casa Blanca.

La reunión terminó algo más de ⁢dos ‍horas después de la ‍llegada de Machado a la⁢ Casa Blanca, que se acercó entonces a unos simpatizantes concentrados en ​las inmediaciones, y⁣ les dijo: “Contamos con el presidente Trump para la ​liberación de Venezuela”.

El mismo día del ataque por sorpresa que acabó con el autócrata chavista‍ y su esposa sentados en el banquillo de un ⁢tribunal federal de Nueva York acusados de delitos de “conspiración narcoterrorista”, y para traficar con cocaína y‌ armas, el presidente de Estados Unidos dejó claro que no ⁣considera a la líder opositora como‌ la persona idónea para liderar‍ una transición en Venezuela en la que el propio Trump se ha reservado un papel central.

Este jueves, la portavoz de⁤ la⁤ Casa blanca, Karoline Leavitt, dijo que el presidente de Estados unidos seguía dudando​ de la capacidad de⁢ Machado para suceder a Maduro: “Es una postura realista y no ha cambiado”.

“[Trump] estaba deseando que se celebrara esta​ reunión y esperaba que fuera una conversación buena y positiva, porque [ella] es⁢ una voz verdaderamente‍ notable y⁢ valiente## ⁤Venezuela’s 2024 Presidential Election and International Response

The⁣ 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, held ⁢on July 28th, 2024, resulted in a victory for Nicolás Maduro, though the results have been widely disputed ⁤and questioned by international observers. Reuters reported that Maduro secured 55.1% of the vote, while his main challenger, Edmundo‍ González Urrutia, received 44.95%.

### Edmundo González​ Urrutia and the Opposition

Edmundo González Urrutia ran as the candidate representing a broad ⁣coalition of opposition parties, after the ineligibility of María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, prevented her from participating. Human‍ Rights Watch detailed the systematic obstacles faced by the⁣ opposition, including the disqualification of candidates and restrictions on political freedoms. Machado was​ barred from ⁢holding public office for eight years, a decision widely condemned as politically motivated. The U.S. Department of State stated⁣ that ⁣Machado’s ineligibility undermined the democratic process.

### Nicolás Maduro’s Victory and International Non-Recognition

nicolás‍ Maduro was declared the ‍winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE), but ‍the results were immediately rejected ​by the opposition and questioned by numerous international governments ⁢and organizations. Voice of america reported widespread allegations ⁣of irregularities, including issues‌ with the voter registry, restrictions on election observation, and manipulation of the ⁣voting process. The United States announced it would reimpose sanctions on ​Venezuela and⁤ stated it would not recognize the⁢ results. The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions reimposition on December 21, 2023, prior to the election, which were then⁣ further reinforced after the disputed results.### U.S. Response and potential for New⁤ Elections (as of January ⁣15, 2026)

As of January 15, 2026, the United States has not altered its⁢ position ‍of non-recognition of Maduro’s government.‌ the Biden administration has consistently called for free and fair elections ⁣in Venezuela and has maintained pressure on the Maduro regime through sanctions ⁣and diplomatic isolation. A statement by National Security Advisor Jake sullivan ‌ on July 29, 2024, reiterated the U.S.‍ commitment to supporting a ​democratic resolution ⁣to the crisis in Venezuela.Negotiations between the U.S. and the maduro government, mediated by qatar, have occurred, resulting ⁣in a revised sanctions relief framework contingent on⁤ progress towards⁢ free and fair elections. Reuters reported on October 17, 2024, ⁤that the agreement included provisions for international election observers and the release of ⁤political ​prisoners. However, as of January 15, 2026, no new elections have been scheduled, and the implementation of‍ the agreement​ remains incomplete. The U.S. has indicated it is prepared to⁤ reimpose sanctions ⁢if ‌the Maduro government fails to meet its commitments. The U.S. Department of State ⁢continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with international partners⁢ to explore options for ⁤a peaceful and democratic ‍resolution.