Maria Corina Machado: The Future Leader of Venezuela?

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:26:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado expresses her ambition to lead the country during her recent visit to Washington.

María Corina Machado has announced her intention to lead Venezuela, claiming she will be elected as the country's first female president when the time is right. Following her recent meeting with President Trump, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, Machado reaffirmed her commitment to restoring Venezuela as a prosperous nation while emphasizing that she represents a movement of millions. Her statements come amidst political transitions and ongoing discussions about Venezuela's future leadership.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has vowed she will lead the country 'when the right time comes.'

'There’s a mission, and we are going to turn Venezuela into that land of grace, and I believe I will be elected when the right time comes as president of Venezuela, the first woman president,' she told Fox News.

Her comments come a day after she gave President Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal, calling it a recognition of his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.

The US seized Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3 and removed him to New York to face various drugs and weapons charges.

However, Trump has declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, saying she did not have enough domestic support despite her opposition movement claiming victory in the upcoming elections.

He has instead been dealing with Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who recently held a meeting with the CIA director aimed at rebuilding communication and trust with the US.

Speaking in Washington, Machado expressed confidence in an 'orderly transition' in her country, stating 'The result of a stable transition will be a proud Venezuela that will be the best ally the US has ever had in the Americas.'

Machado, who reported that she was treated as a celebrity by supporters during her US visit, emphasized her role as part of a broader movement designed to bring change in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Rodríguez delivered her first state of the union address as interim president, advocating for reforms in the oil industry and insisting on Venezuela's need to protect its dignity in negotiations with the US.

Trump described Machado as a 'wonderful woman' while expressing appreciation for her gesture during their meeting, yet has maintained relations with Rodríguez amidst the transitional political landscape.

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