Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reaffirmed her determination to lead her country, insisting she will become president “when the right time comes” as Venezuela navigates a complex political transition.
Speaking to a US news outlet, Machado said her mission is to transform Venezuela into a “land of grace” and expressed confidence that she will be elected as the country’s first woman president when conditions are right. She made the remarks shortly after a high–profile visit to Washington, where she met with President Donald Trump and presented him with her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal as a symbolic gesture recognising his support for Venezuelan freedom.
The US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on 3 January 2026 and his transfer to New York to face drug and weapons charges has upended the country’s political landscape. In the aftermath, interim leadership passed to Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice-president, whom the Trump administration has engaged as Venezuela’s acting president. Machado has not been formally endorsed by the US as the country’s next leader, with Trump saying she lacks sufficient domestic support — despite her opposition movement’s claims of widespread backing.
Machado’s Washington visit also included meetings with bipartisan US senators, where she emphasised democratic reforms, a peaceful return to elections, and the protection of human rights. She said her movement is part of a broader effort to rebuild institutions and prepare for a future electoral mandate, even as US policymakers continue to work with Rodríguez’s interim government.
Meanwhile, in Caracas, Rodríguez hosted CIA Director John Ratcliffe for a historic meeting under instructions from President Trump, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the US and Venezuela on areas such as economic collaboration and curbing criminal networks. This engagement reflects Washington’s cautious approach to stabilising Venezuela while balancing relations with both opposition and interim authorities.
As the situation evolves, Machado maintains that democratic legitimacy and popular support will eventually pave the way for her leadership — even if that moment has not yet arrived.