Venezuela’s Political Crossroads: A Rivalry for the Nation’s Future
As millions of Venezuelans await the outcome of their nation’s economic and political turmoil, a rivalry has intensified between two prominent female figures vying for influence over Venezuela’s uncertain future—and for the backing of the U.S. president. On one side stands María Corina Machado, the opposition leader and Nobel Prize winner, whose relentless advocacy for democracy in Venezuela has placed her in direct opposition to the now-ousted former dictator Nicolás Maduro. After the disputed 2024 presidential election, where government-appointed electoral authorities proclaimed Maduro the victor, Machado has largely remained in hiding, awaiting the results of a military operation that led to his capture by U.S. special forces in a dramatic raid two weeks ago.
Her counterpart, Delcy Rodriguez, the vice president who has assumed the role of interim leader, is viewed as a loyalist to the old regime and a staunch defender of Maduro’s legacy. Yet, she navigates a delicate balance between appeasing Washington and maintaining support among domestic supporters of the Maduro administration. Trump’s recent operation in Caracas marked a symbolic victory, but the U.S. now holds the reins for Venezuela’s immediate future.
At the heart of this power struggle is a figure more than 2,000 miles away: President Donald Trump. He authorized the raid that led to Maduro’s capture and declared the U.S. would “run” Venezuela temporarily. Although Trump has not yet launched a second intervention, the specter of military action looms. Recently, he shifted focus to targeting drug cartels on land, following months of strikes on suspected drug vessels at sea. A large U.S. military presence in the Caribbean continues to exert pressure on Caracas.
Trump’s decisions could shape Venezuela’s leadership trajectory. Surface-level observations suggest a clear stance: he has praised Rodriguez but hesitated to endorse Machado, despite her strong backing within his administration. However, Trump’s shifting alliances with global leaders reveal a more volatile dynamic. His opinions can pivot rapidly from admiration to confrontation. A one-on-one meeting scheduled for Thursday at the White House may tip the scales.
Both Machado and Rodriguez have engaged in direct communication with the U.S. president. On Wednesday, Trump stated he had conversed with Rodriguez by phone, labeling her a “terrific person” and asserting their “getting along very well.” Machado, however, is set to take the next step with an in-person encounter. According to the White House schedule, she will have lunch with Trump during her visit to Washington, D.C.
Despite her prominent allies in the White House, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who lauded her efforts and nominated her for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Machado faces challenges. Trump, prior to his inauguration last year, once referred to her as a “free” individual, but the political landscape has since evolved.
