"Trump's Leadership Is Remarkable", "I Want to Share the Nobel Prize"... Machado Courts Support in Bid for Presidency

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Speaks to CBS
"The People of Venezuela Chose Their Leader Two Years Ago"
"Praise for Trump's Leadership in Bringing Maduro to Justice"

Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader from Venezuela who won the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasized that she must lead Venezuela following President Nicolas Maduro, who was arrested in the United States. According to Yonhap News, in an interview with CBS in the United States on January 6 (local time), Machado responded "Of course" when asked if she believed she should be the next leader of Venezuela.

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasized that "she must lead Venezuela following President Nicolas Maduro, who was arrested in the United States." Reuters Yonhap News

Machado highlighted that during the 2024 presidential election, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was nominated as the opposition candidate in her place after she was disqualified from running, achieved a de facto landslide victory, but lost due to vote rigging by the Maduro administration. In fact, the United States and Western countries have recognized Gonzalez as the winner. Machado stated, "The people of Venezuela have already chosen who should lead the government," adding, "We are ready and willing to serve the people as mandated by the citizens."

Machado criticized Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president and interim leader of Venezuela, saying, "No one trusts her" and "she is far from being moderate." She added, "She is one of the key figures who designed the system that oppresses innocent people under the Maduro regime," and emphasized, "Everyone, both in Venezuela and abroad, knows exactly who she is and what role she has played."

Acting President Rodriguez was inaugurated as interim president on January 5 to exercise governing authority in the absence of President Maduro. As vice president in the Maduro administration, Rodriguez also served as the Minister of Petroleum, playing a central role in the country's economic management. During her inauguration, she stated, "I stand here with sorrow for the suffering the people of Venezuela have endured due to illegal military aggression," and added, "I feel deep pain over the abduction of two heroes, President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who are being held hostage in the United States."

Machado highly praised the U.S. military operation that conducted a surprise airstrike in Venezuela and captured President Maduro, calling it "an important step toward Venezuela's prosperity, rule of law, and the restoration of democracy." She also addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, saying, "I have not yet spoken to President Trump this year," but added, "President Trump's leadership and courage brought Maduro to justice. This is an enormous achievement," and expressed her deep gratitude.

President Trump dismissed Machado on the 3rd, saying, "I think it will be very difficult for her to become the leader of Venezuela." Reuters Yonhap News

In an interview with Fox News on January 5, Machado once again reached out to President Trump. She said, "Venezuela will become an energy powerhouse of the Americas," and pledged to "bring back millions who have left the country and become a key U.S. ally in Central and South America." She continued, "On behalf of the Venezuelan people, I want to express my gratitude for President Trump's courageous mission," adding that she would like to share the Nobel Peace Prize with President Trump.

However, President Trump dismissed Machado on January 3, saying, "I think it will be very difficult for her to become the leader of Venezuela." He remarked, "She does not have support or respect within the country," and added, "She is a very good person, but she is not respected."

Meanwhile, there are also voices of support for Machado within the Republican Party. Senator Rick Scott, in an interview with the U.S. cable news channel NewsNation, stated, "Machado is a fighter and is loved by Venezuelans both at home and abroad," expressing his support for her as the next leader.