Trump to Meet Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado
James RileyTrump meets Venezuelan opposition leader Machado amid a complex U.S. power transition, sidelining her for deeper intervention.
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado next week, a pivotal discussion that comes as the U.S. navigates a complex power transition in Caracas.
The meeting is scheduled for January 13 or 14 in Washington, D.C. Speaking to U.S. oil executives on Friday about plans to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry, Trump noted Machado's upcoming visit.
"She's going to come in and pay her regards to our country, really to me, but I'm a representative of the country, nothing else," Trump said. He added that he would also meet with other "various representatives of Venezuela," though these meetings are still being arranged.
A New Political Landscape in Caracas
The meeting occurs against the backdrop of a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela. Trump and other officials have signaled they will allow Delcy Rodriguez, the former vice president, to remain as the country's interim president for at least 90 days after she took the oath of office this week.
This decision effectively sidelines Machado, whose opposition movement is widely considered the winner of Venezuela's 2025 presidential election over Nicolas Maduro. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the rationale, stating that much of Machado's movement "is no longer present inside of Venezuela."
The political maneuvering follows a dramatic U.S. operation on January 3, when special forces arrested former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to face drug charges. Trump described his current relationship with the remaining officials in Venezuela as "very good."
U.S. Deepens Involvement in Venezuelan Affairs
The United States is actively rolling out a plan for heavy intervention in Venezuela's government and its critical oil sector.
Recent activity suggests a ramp-up of U.S. presence on the ground. Vehicle traffic has notably increased at the site of the U.S. embassy in Caracas, which has been officially suspended since 2019. A former embassy contractor reported being told the facility could reopen as early as next week.
Currently, U.S. diplomatic relations with Venezuela are being managed from Bogota, Colombia, by charge d'affaires John McNamara.
