Trump’s Low-Key Reception of María Corina Machado After Praising Chavist Delcy Rodríguez
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.