President Donald Trump said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado doesn’t have enough “respect” in the country to lead after Nicolás Maduro was removed from power. The U.S. carried out strikes in Venezuela early Saturday and captured Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores. Both were taken to the U.S. to face narco-terrorism charges.
According to ABC News, Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, praised the operation in a statement and called it the “hour of freedom.” She said Maduro now faces international justice for crimes against the Venezuelan people. Trump said he hasn’t spoken with Machado but doesn’t think she can take over leadership in Venezuela.
“I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,” Trump said during a press conference Saturday. He announced the U.S. will “run the country” until a proper transition happens.
Trump’s claim contradicts what experts and Venezuelans say
Political analyst Liz Alarcón, who specializes in Latin America, disagreed with Trump’s statement during an ABC News Live appearance. When asked if Machado could run the country, Alarcón said, “That is exactly what exists already.”
She explained Venezuelans want their democratic choice respected, which includes leaders like Machado or Edmundo González Urrutia. González Urrutia ran against Maduro in last July’s election. Independent exit polls showed he received two-thirds of the votes, and the U.S. said “overwhelming evidence” supported his victory.
However, Maduro claimed he won and refused to step down. Machado called on the military to recognize González Urrutia as Venezuela’s rightful president. The overnight operation that captured Maduro marked a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Alarcón said many Venezuelans are celebrating Maduro’s removal but want to make sure his regime isn’t replaced by something similar. They don’t want Maduro’s allies or anyone who doesn’t respect democratic results to take power. Venezuelan-American journalist José Enrique Arrioja called the operation a “shocking series of events” and a “historical moment” for Venezuela and Latin America.
The situation in Caracas remained calm, with people buying groceries and basic supplies ahead of an uncertain period. Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez appeared on state television demanding Maduro’s release and calling him the country’s only president.
She claimed the U.S. operation aimed to steal Venezuela’s energy and natural resources. Trump has previously threatened sanctions against Venezuelan companies as part of his hardline approach.Rodriguez called on civilians and armed forces to mobilize and defend the country.
She said Venezuela would find a peaceful path and that those using force don’t have right on their side. Her comments contradict what Trump said she told Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call Saturday, where Trump claimed she was willing to work with Washington.
Published: Jan 4, 2026 03:15 pm