Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has reiterated her belief that she will become president of Venezuela “when the right time comes,” even as the United States continues to back interim leader Delcy Rodríguez in the country’s ongoing political transition.
Machado made the comments during a series of public remarks following meetings in Washington, including a White House visit with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which she presented him with her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal — a gesture that drew global attention but did not translate into official U.S. support for her leadership.
Speaking to reporters, Machado said she believes she has a mandate to lead Venezuela and predicted she would be elected president at the appropriate moment, potentially becoming the first woman to hold the office.
Her remarks come amid a complex political landscape following the Jan. 3 U.S. military operation that removed long-time president Nicolás Maduro from power.
In the aftermath, Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, was installed as interim president with public backing from the Trump administration.
Machado has criticised Rodríguez’s government and argued that it does not represent the will of the Venezuelan people, while expressing confidence that a democratic transition, including free elections, will eventually take place.
The opposition leader’s strategy has included gaining international visibility — a recent news conference in Washington emphasised her vision for a future Venezuelan government aligned with democratic values and supportive of international partnerships.
Despite Trump’s personal praise for Rodríguez’s cooperation on issues such as oil and political reforms, Machado continues to push for broader political recognition and an electoral path forward for her movement.
