Maria Corina Machado Venezuela Leadership: Opposition Leader Defies Trump's Dismissal

An iron fist in a velvet glove. Only a week after U.S. forces ousted Nicolás Maduro, the battle for Venezuela's soul has shifted from the streets to the halls of power. Opposition leader María Corina Machado told CBS she should "absolutely" be in charge, asserting a mandate she claims was won in the 2024 elections.

Maria Corina Machado Venezuela Leadership Dispute and U.S. Friction

Despite being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, Machado faces a significant hurdle: Donald Trump. The U.S. President hasn't held back in his skepticism, stating it would be "very tough" for her to lead because she doesn't have the internal respect required. While Machado praised Trump's courage in deposing Maduro, the lack of public backing from the White House suggests a widening rift between the Nobel laureate and the U.S. administration's vision for the country.

The Rise of Delcy Rodríguez and the Oil Factor

Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, 56, was sworn in on Monday, a move Machado heavily criticized, labeling her an "architect of repression." Amidst this internal power struggle, Trump has already signaled his expectations: Venezuela will turn over up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. It seems the U.S.'s priority isn't just democratic restoration, but securing tangible assets during the transition.