Trump meets Venezuelan opposition as US praises interim government’s cooperation
The White House commended Venezuela’s interim authorities for meeting U.S. demands, including oil sales and prisoner releases. The praise came as President Donald Trump held a private meeting with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, signaling continued U.S. engagement amid the South American nation’s political crisis.
The White House publicly applauded its dealings with Venezuela's interim government on Thursday, highlighting their compliance with Washington's requests. The positive assessment coincided with President Donald Trump hosting a closed-door meeting at the White House with key Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
White House Points to Concessions
During a press briefing, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have maintained constant contact with interim President Delcy Rodriguez since the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro. Leavitt described the Caracas-based interim government as "extremely cooperative," noting it had met all American demands to date. She specifically pointed to the sale of $500 million in Venezuelan oil and the release of political prisoners as key concessions. "The president likes what he's seeing and will expect that cooperation to continue," Leavitt told reporters.
Trump's Meeting with Opposition
The administration's comments unfolded as Trump sat down for a lunch meeting with Machado, a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition movement. Details of the discussion were not disclosed, but Leavitt confirmed the meeting was "underway" during her briefing. "I know the president was looking forward to this meeting, and he was expecting it to be a good and positive discussion with Miss Machado," she said. The event underscores the Trump administration's ongoing strategy of engaging with multiple actors in the complex Venezuelan political landscape, which has been marked by severe economic crisis and international divisions over legitimacy.
Regional and Global Context
Venezuela, a major oil-producing nation in South America, has been entangled in a deep political struggle for years, with significant implications for regional stability. The U.S. engagement with the interim government and opposition figures stands in contrast to the positions of other global actors, including Türkiye, which has historically emphasized dialogue and non-interference in sovereign states' affairs. The development is a critical moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with Washington clearly linking further cooperation to Caracas's continued adherence to its demands.
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