Venezuela’s opposition figure, María Corina Machado, has questioned the legitimacy of the country’s newly installed interim government, cautioning that interim President Delcy Rodríguez is not a trustworthy figure to lead a genuine political transition.
Her comments follow the dramatic operation carried out three days earlier, in which U.S. forces raided Nicolás Maduro’s residence in Caracas and arrested both the Venezuelan leader and his wife.
In an interview with Fox News, Machado expressed appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s intervention, calling it a “major step for humanity” and a decisive act in defence of freedom. However, she warned that simply removing Maduro while elevating individuals from his inner circle would not deliver meaningful change for Venezuela.
According to Machado, Rodríguez — who previously served as Maduro’s vice president before assuming the interim presidency — is unfit to oversee the country’s transition. She stressed that Venezuela requires a complete rupture from the political structures and power networks that upheld the former government.
Her remarks come amid Maduro’s first appearance in a New York court, where he pleaded not guilty to several charges, including drug trafficking and arms-related offences. During the brief hearing, Maduro described himself as a “kidnapped president” and a “prisoner of war,” insisting that he remains Venezuela’s rightful leader.
Machado, who spent much of the previous year in hiding due to threats of arrest, said recent developments have brought her closer to returning to the country. She explained that remaining underground had only been necessary while it was unsafe for her to engage in political activities openly.
She also raised alarm over what she described as a fresh wave of repression, alleging that at least 14 journalists have been detained in recent days. These incidents, she argued, further demonstrate that the interim administration is incapable of safeguarding democratic rights and freedoms.
Reiterating her praise for Trump, Machado said she believes the U.S. president merits the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions in Venezuela, again thanking him for what she described as a bold stand in support of liberty.
Reflecting on Venezuela’s contested election, Machado accused Maduro of exerting total control over state institutions and the electoral council, rendering free and fair elections impossible. Despite this, she maintained that the opposition still won overwhelmingly, even though official results declared Maduro victorious.
At 58, Machado is widely seen as one of the most prominent leaders within Venezuela’s opposition movement. Although barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, she actively campaigned for opposition candidate Edmundo González, who, according to polling-station tally sheets, secured a decisive victory contrary to the official announcement.
Her political struggle has come at great personal cost. Machado spent months in hiding and sent her adult children abroad for their safety, leaving her separated from them for nearly two years.
In recognition of her efforts to promote a peaceful transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025.