Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition's Machado at White House

US President Donald Trump is set to host Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado for a meeting on Thursday. The engagement follows Trump's decisive military operation that resulted in the capture and extradition of former President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House this Thursday, a senior administration official confirmed Monday. The talks will occur in the wake of a dramatic US military intervention in Venezuela that led to the capture of the country's former president, Nicolas Maduro.
Post-Intervention Political Landscape
The January 3 operation, ordered by President Trump, resulted in the apprehension of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently extradited to the United States to face trial on firearms and weapons-related charges. This event created a power vacuum and a complex political scenario in the South American nation, which interim President Delcy Rodriguez now leads.
Trump's Hesitation on Endorsement
Despite arranging the meeting, President Trump has previously expressed significant reservations about Machado's potential to lead Venezuela. Shortly after Maduro's capture, Trump commented on her political standing, stating, "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader." He added, "She doesn't have the support within, or the respect within, the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect." This indicates the discussions may focus on broader strategic issues rather than an outright endorsement.
Symbolic Gesture from Machado
In a notable pre-meeting gesture last week, Machado suggested she would like to share or even give her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that the prestigious award is non-transferable by its statutes. This symbolic offer underscores the high stakes and the contentious nature of US involvement in Venezuela's political future.
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