Insiders within the White House have disclosed to the Washington Post the reasoning behind President Donald Trump's unexpected dismissal of Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado as a potential future leader of Venezuela. This move reportedly surprised even Machado's own supporters.
The Nobel Prize: A Fatal Flaw in Machado's Candidacy
According to the revelations, President Trump expressed doubt about Machado's viability, stating it would be very tough for her to lead as she lacks sufficient support and respect within Venezuela. However, the core issue stemmed from her recent Nobel win. Machado's attempts to flatter Trump by dedicating the prize to him backfired spectacularly.
Two sources close to the White House explained that the dedication was irrelevant. The critical fact was that she did not reject the award, which Trump himself had been eyeing. This was perceived as the ultimate sin. One insider starkly claimed, If she had turned it down and said, 'I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's,' she'd be the president of Venezuela today.
Power Shift in Caracas and the US Stance
In the meantime, Venezuela's political landscape has shifted. Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the country's armed forces have recognized Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president, as the acting president. While Maduro's allies remain in positions of power, Rodríguez has assumed the new charge.
The United States has clarified that it is not at war with Venezuela, and no US troops are on the ground. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the US interpretation of influencing Venezuela, stating that running Venezuela means stopping Venezuela from doing things that harm US interests, not governing the country directly.
Trump's Plan and Warnings for the Future
Contrasting with Rubio's statement, President Trump has expressed a desire to actively fix up the nation. He articulated a plan: What we want to do is fix up the oil, fix up the country, bring the country back and then have elections. A high-level working group including Rubio and Stephen Miller is engaged in planning for Venezuela's future.
While Trump claims he has not spoken with Acting President Rodríguez, officials from his administration have issued warnings. They indicated that Rodríguez could face more military action if she did not acquiesce to American demands. Trump himself hinted that she might pay a bigger price than Maduro if she fails to toe the US line.
