Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visits Washington to meet President Trump

María Corina Machado will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington as Venezuela faces a political transition after Nicolás Maduro's removal; her coalition won the 2024 election according to international observers and she fled the country following threats of arrest.

María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Her political coalition won Venezuela's 2024 election according to international observers, though Machado was barred from running and opposition figures later fled the country. The meeting follows the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 and comes as both Machado and a Venezuelan government envoy are engaging with U.S. officials. The talks are taking place amid debate over the timing of elections and the White House's stated phased approach to Venezuela's recovery and oil sector stabilization. Key facts: - María Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump in Washington as reported by Global News. - Machado's coalition is reported to have won Venezuela's 2024 election, while Machado herself was barred from running and later left the country. - Nicolás Maduro was seized by U.S. forces on Jan. 3, an event Machado called a milestone in statements to U.S. media. - A Venezuelan government envoy is expected in Washington to discuss reopening the Venezuelan embassy and other diplomatic matters. - The White House has outlined a three‑phase plan that places political transition and democratic elections after oil stabilization and economic recovery. Summary: The meeting may influence discussions about Venezuela's leadership and the timing of future elections, but U.S. officials have not announced a specific election timeline. A Venezuelan government envoy is also due in Washington to hold talks about the embassy and diplomatic relations, and further outcomes are undetermined at this time.