Venezuela's prominent opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, has declared her intention to swiftly return to her homeland following the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro by United States forces. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, the 58-year-old lawyer and mother of three asserted that her movement is prepared to win a free and fair election, claiming they would secure over 90% of the vote.
Machado's Pledge and Praise for Trump
Maria Corina Machado, who fled Venezuela in disguise last October to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, stated, "I'm planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible." She dedicated her Nobel award to US President Donald Trump, whom she credited with toppling the "narco-terrorist regime" of her enemy, Maduro. She hailed the January 3rd raid as a historic day where "justice defeated a tyranny."
"I do want to say today on behalf of the Venezuelan people how grateful we are for his courageous vision, the historical actions he has taken," Machado expressed, promising to personally give Trump the Nobel prize. Despite her praise, she confirmed she has not spoken to Trump since the Nobel announcement on October 10.
Political Uncertainty and US Stance
The path forward remains fraught with complexity. While Machado is wanted for arrest in Venezuela and Socialist Party loyalists retain control, the US administration appears to be exploring cooperation with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a staunch Maduro ally. Rodriguez has denounced Maduro's "kidnapping" but also called for respectful relations with Washington.
Machado vehemently opposed this approach, labeling Rodriguez as "one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco-trafficking" and a key liaison for Russia, China, and Iran. "She's certainly not an individual who could be trusted by international investors," Machado argued.
Contrasting Machado's optimism, President Trump has indicated that Venezuela must be stabilized before any elections, calling a proposed 30-day timeline unrealistic. "We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote," Trump told NBC. Sources indicate US intelligence believes Rodriguez and other senior officials from Maduro's government are the best bet to maintain stability.
Maduro in Court and Venezuela's Tense Atmosphere
Meanwhile, the captured Nicolas Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty to narcotics charges in a Manhattan court on Monday. Appearing shackled and in prison garb, he declared himself a "decent man" and the rightful president of Venezuela. He faces charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy, which he has long denied as a pretext to seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded innocent. Their next court date is set for March 17. Back in Venezuela, the atmosphere remains tense. Authorities have ordered arrests of those who collaborated with Maduro's seizure, and 14 media workers were briefly detained in Caracas. Reuters-verified footage showed shots fired into the night sky, which officials claimed were to deter unauthorized drones.
Machado, who has mobilized a previously fractured opposition, promised that a democratic Venezuela—with the world's largest oil reserves and US support—would become the energy hub of the Americas, restore the rule of law, and secure foreign investment. However, with the US's largest intervention in Latin America since 1989 drawing condemnation from Russia and China, and legal experts questioning its validity, the transition promises to be turbulent.
