President Donald Trump has cast doubt on Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado’s ability to lead her country, following a US military operation that captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Speaking at a press conference, Trump described Machado as a “very nice woman” but said she lacked the necessary support and respect to assume national office.
The US strikes early Saturday targeted Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife, who have been transferred to the United States and charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotics—allegations Maduro has consistently denied. When asked whether Machado was a viable successor, Trump responded: “I think it’d be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.”
Machado, a former congresswoman with longstanding ties to the US government, has been a prominent critic of Maduro and led anti-government protests, accusing him of illegally seizing power during the 2024 elections. Barred from holding public office over her calls for sanctions and US military intervention, she nevertheless received the Nobel Peace Prize in December for her efforts to promote a peaceful transition to democracy.
Despite her vocal support for US intervention, Machado insists her position is not about regime change but enforcing the will of the Venezuelan people. She told reporters that “the escalation that’s taking place is the only way to force Maduro to understand that it’s time to go.”
Trump further stated that the US would “run” Venezuela and control its oil production until a transition of power could be arranged, warning of a “second and much larger attack” should Caracas fail to cooperate. Machado’s potential leadership now appears sidelined in Trump’s view, raising questions about the future of Venezuelan governance amid the ongoing US military presence.
