Machado Backs Trump’s Campaign Against Maduro
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado has expressed her support for President Trump’s intensified pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government, especially following the recent seizure of an oil transport ship from Venezuela.
While Machado recognized that these tactics may be harsh on the already suffering Venezuelan populace, she praised Trump’s commitment to removing Maduro from power. “I wholeheartedly endorse President Trump’s strategy, and the Venezuelan people are immensely grateful. We see him as a beacon of freedom in this part of the world,” she mentioned on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“We’ve been advocating for this for years, and now it’s finally materializing,” she added. “I genuinely believe this regime’s time is limited.”
Machado undertook a perilous sea journey last week to Norway, where she aimed for the Nobel Peace Prize and to reunite with her daughter for the first time since 2023.
She managed to arrive just hours after a formal event where her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Since January 9, Machado has evaded the public eye.
The Trump administration has ramped up its pressure on Venezuela in recent weeks, seizing various drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, bolstering military presence in the area, and increasing the bounty on Maduro to $50 million. President Trump has also hinted at the possibility of targeting ground positions in Venezuela.
Asked about Trump’s potential plans for a ground attack, Machado replied, “I’m not sure.” She added a cautious note, “If we had such knowledge, we obviously wouldn’t disclose it. That said, we’re not involved in and won’t interfere with the policies of other nations for our security.”
Machado had initially won a primary to be the opposition candidate against Maduro in the 2024 elections but faced disqualification, leading to Edmundo Gonzalez receiving the nomination instead.
Despite a controversial election win, Maduro’s legitimacy has been questioned by both Biden’s administration and international observers.
After receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October, Machado declared her intention to dedicate it to Trump. For months, Trump had voiced frustration over global conflicts he helped mediate, expressing his disappointment in not securing the prestigious accolade.
Machado contended that although stricter sanctions and actions regarding future oil seizures might negatively impact Venezuelans, these measures are essential for long-term goals. “What we do is for the well-being of the Venezuelan people,” she stated. “Our aim is to preserve lives, but Maduro has waged war against the Venezuelan people. This is a conflict we never sought.”
She described the dire situation: “We’ve witnessed countless killings and forced disappearances during this conflict,” she said. “The regime’s profits from these illicit activities finance weapons purchases, gang espionage, and even the expansion of illegal drug operations.”
