In a significant development following the dramatic removal of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has declared her intention to return to her homeland. She has also firmly rejected the authority of the country's new interim president, Delcy Rodriguez.
Machado's Defiant Stance and Plans for Return
Speaking to Fox News from an undisclosed location on Monday, Machado made her first detailed public comments since the US military action on Saturday that forcibly ousted President Maduro from power. "I'm planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible," the opposition figure stated, outlining her immediate goal of returning to the politically turbulent nation.
In her interview, Machado launched a scathing attack on Delcy Rodriguez, who was Venezuela's vice president under Maduro and has now assumed the role of interim president. Machado dismissed Rodriguez's legitimacy, labelling her as "one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narcotrafficking" during the previous administration. She asserted that Rodriguez is broadly "rejected" by the Venezuelan people.
A Vision for Venezuela and a Prize for Trump
Expressing supreme confidence in her popular mandate, Machado predicted a landslide victory for the opposition in any future democratic process. "In free and fair elections, we will win by over 90 percent of the votes, I have no doubt about it," she told the broadcaster. She laid out an ambitious plan to transform Venezuela into "the energy hub of the Americas" and to dismantle the criminal networks she claims have devastated the country.
In a notable gesture, Machado offered her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, an award he has been known to covet publicly. "The Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people, certainly want to give it to him and share it with him," she said, crediting Trump's actions as "historic" and a major step toward democracy. However, she clarified that she has not spoken directly to President Trump since October 10.
Political Standoff and International Reactions
This move creates a direct political confrontation, as President Trump has shown a willingness to work with the interim government under Delcy Rodriguez, provided they cooperate with US demands regarding Venezuela's vast oil resources. Trump has previously expressed skepticism about Machado's ability to lead, suggesting she lacks the necessary "respect" to run the nation.
Machado's pledge includes a commitment to reverse the massive migration crisis, vowing to "bring millions of Venezuelans that have been forced to flee our country back home." As the situation develops, the world watches to see how this power struggle between the US-backed interim government and the popular opposition leader will unfold, shaping the future of Venezuela and its role in the region.
