Venezuela’s Machado calls Trump a ‘fundamental ally’ despite US support for Delcy Rodríguez

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Affirms U.S. Alliance Despite Diplomatic Shifts

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reaffirmed Thursday that the Trump administration remains a “fundamental ally” in Venezuela’s democratic transition, despite Washington’s recent recognition of acting President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s legitimate leader.

Speaking to reporters in Santiago, Chile, Machado acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in Trump’s three-phase approach to Venezuela, which she described as focusing on “stabilization, recovery and a democratic transition.”

Her comments come amid significant diplomatic developments between the two nations. Just last week, the United States and Venezuela announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular relations. This followed statements from U.S. President Donald Trump praising Rodríguez for “doing a great job, and working with U.S. Representatives very well.”

The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding Venezuela’s contested leadership. International observers widely consider Edmundo González, the presidential candidate backed by Machado, as the legitimate winner of the 2024 elections. Machado herself was barred from running in that contest, a move critics saw as politically motivated.

During her address in Santiago, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate emphasized America’s unique role in supporting Venezuelan democracy, stating it is the “only nation in the world that has risked the lives of its citizens to secure freedom in Venezuela.” This reference to January’s U.S. military operation to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro underscores the high-stakes nature of U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs.

Machado’s visit to Chile coincided with the inauguration of far-right President José Antonio Kast, whose administration has proposed stringent immigration policies that could affect hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans currently residing in Chile.

Addressing this sensitive issue, Machado spoke directly about the approximately 700,000 Venezuelans who have sought refuge in Chile. “They are decent people who were forced to flee their homeland to save their lives,” she explained. “What we are doing here today is asking all Chileans — and all Latin Americans — to help us ensure that every Venezuelan can return with dignity and freedom to the country they adore and that desperately needs them.”

The opposition leader’s remarks take on particular significance given Kast’s campaign promises to criminalize irregular immigration and expel nearly 330,000 foreigners living illegally in Chile, the majority of whom are Venezuelan nationals who fled economic collapse and political turmoil under the Maduro regime.

Despite these potentially contradictory positions on Venezuelan migrants, Machado expressed gratitude toward the new Chilean president, stating she was “very grateful to President Kast” and acknowledging that “every country has the right — indeed, the duty — to guarantee its own security.”

The Venezuelan exodus represents one of the largest displacement crises in recent history, with over seven million people having fled the country since 2014, according to United Nations estimates. This mass migration has strained resources and sparked political debates throughout Latin America, particularly in neighboring countries like Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile.

As Venezuela continues to navigate its complex political landscape, Machado’s statements reflect the delicate balance opposition leaders must strike between maintaining international support and addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of Venezuelans both at home and abroad.

The ongoing situation underscores the broader regional implications of Venezuela’s political instability and the critical role that international relationships, particularly with the United States, will play in determining the country’s future trajectory toward potential democratic reform.