María Corina Machado on Venezuela’s Future and Her Relationship With the Trump Administration

María Corina Machado on Venezuela’s Future and Her Relationship With the Trump Administration By [Your Name] | BBC News Venezuela – The opposition has found a new voice. María Corina Machado, barred from returning to her own country, sits in a London flat to speak with The Times about her plans for a comeback and the complex ties she has with former U.S. — 1 In a rare interview, María Corina Machado—long a thorn in President Nicolás Maduro’s side—recounted how her campaign has evolved since the 2024 presidential election..

She said that while the Venezuelan people remain resolute, her own path is increasingly defined by exile. “The road back is fraught with obstacles set by the regime, but the will of the Venezuelan people is stronger than any blockade,” she told The Times. Machado’s voice, steady yet urgent, underscored a broader narrative of resistance that has kept international attention fixed on Caracas..

— 2 Machado’s ban from re-entering Venezuela stems from a decree issued by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, which declared her an “illicit actor” and “enemy of the state.” The decree was widely condemned by the opposition as a blatant violation of democratic norms. “This is not a simple travel ban. It is a political weapon used to silence dissent,” Machado warned..

She added that the measure is part of a wider crackdown that has also targeted journalists, civil society leaders, and former ministers who refuse to bow to Maduro’s authoritarian rule. — 3 Despite being locked out, Machado’s influence has not waned. She has become a key figure in a transnational coalition of Venezuelan exiles, working to secure humanitarian aid and political support for opposition forces on the ground..

“We are building a network that cuts across borders,” she explained. “Our aim is to keep the flame of democracy alive while protecting those who are still inside.” The coalition’s work has been praised by European diplomats, who say it is crucial to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the country’s deepening economic collapse. — 4 One of the most controversial aspects of Machado’s story is her relationship with the Trump administration..

She first met the former president in 2018, during a visit to Washington that culminated in a joint statement condemning Maduro’s crackdown. “Donald Trump was a pivotal ally,” Machado said, recalling her encounter with the former U.S. “We shared a common goal: restoring democracy to Venezuela.” Her praise, however, has drawn criticism from pro-government outlets, which accuse her of foreign interference..

— 5 In 2021, President Trump signed the Venezuelan Human Rights Act, a bipartisan bill that imposed sanctions on officials deemed responsible for human rights abuses. Machado’s supporters view the law as a milestone, arguing that it “puts pressure on the Maduro regime to change its brutal tactics.” She has cited the act as evidence of the United States’ commitment to democratic restoration. “It is a clear message that the U.S..

will not tolerate authoritarianism in the Americas,” she said, pointing to the policy as a turning point for opposition efforts. — 6 Yet the relationship with Trump has not been without its complications. After Trump’s 2020 election loss, Machado maintained a visible presence on his social media platform, X, offering updates on the situation in Venezuela..

Critics argue that this continued engagement risks aligning her campaign with a populist figure whose political style is often polarising. Machado counters that “the opposition requires a strong voice on the global stage,” and that Trump’s influence continues to shape U.S. “We must keep our options open,” she asserted..

— 7 The Biden administration, however, has adopted a different approach. While it has maintained sanctions and support for Venezuelan civil society, it has been more cautious in its public endorsements of opposition figures. “Biden’s policy is focused on humanitarian aid and diplomatic pressure rather than overtly backing a single political actor,” a senior White House aide told The Times..

Machado sees this as a “missed opportunity” that could have helped her return. “We need a unified front,” she said, warning that fragmented external support dilutes the opposition’s message. — 8 In addition to her political work, Machado has become a symbol of hope for Venezuelan women..

A feminist activist, she has consistently highlighted gendered oppression within the Maduro regime. “Women bear the brunt of political repression, yet their voices are often ignored,” she remarked. Her efforts to mobilise female voters have been hailed as a breakthrough in a country where women have traditionally been underrepresented in formal politics..

The international community has taken notice, with several NGOs pledging to back her campaign for women’s empowerment. — 9 The opposition’s plan to restore democracy in Venezuela involves a multifaceted strategy. Machado stresses the importance of “civil disobedience, international pressure, and the building of a parallel governance structure.” She detailed a roadmap that includes organising elections in exile, lobbying for sanctions, and working with the International Monetary Fund to provide economic assistance to Venezuelan citizens..

“We cannot wait for a revolution; we must create a system that is ready to take power when the time comes,” she said, underscoring the urgency of the task. — 10 One of the most significant challenges remains the Maduro regime’s control over the media. Machado has highlighted that state-owned outlets continue to propagate propaganda, while independent journalists are routinely arrested..

She advocates for an international media task force that would document and broadcast real-time reports from inside Venezuela..