Trump to meet María Corina Machado next week in opening for Venezuela opposition

President Donald Trump said he plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient María Corina Machado next week, his first public show of support since last weekend's operation that captured Nicolás Maduro. The visit follows the reported release of several political prisoners, including allies of Machado.

President Donald Trump said he plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient María Corina Machado as soon as next week, marking his first clear public display of support since last weekend's operation to capture Nicolás Maduro. He made the remark in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Since Maduro's capture, Trump's team has reportedly negotiated directly with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president. The timing of Machado's visit follows announcements of prisoner releases and comes amid debate over U.S. aims in Venezuela. Known details: - Trump said he expects Machado to visit next week and that he looks forward to greeting her, according to his interview with Fox News. - The U.S. team has reportedly been in talks with Delcy Rodríguez about managing Venezuelan affairs before any transition of power. - Trump previously questioned Machado's standing inside Venezuela, saying she lacked support and respect and expressing doubts about her electoral viability. - Human rights group Foro Penal and Venezuelan officials reported the release of several detainees, including Machado ally Biagio Pilieri, former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez, and five Spanish citizens. - Machado traveled to Norway to accept the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize but missed the Dec. 10 ceremony after reporting injuries during a difficult journey; her daughter accepted the award on her behalf. - Machado had been in hiding since the disputed July 28, 2024 presidential election, was briefly detained on Jan. 9 and later released, and her stand-in candidate Edmundo González later left for Spain. Summary: The planned meeting is the first public sign of Trump’s support for María Corina Machado since the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and occurs alongside the reported release of several political prisoners. How Machado’s visit and the prisoner releases will affect Venezuela’s opposition and U.S. policy is undetermined at this time.