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Machado Seeks Pope's Support for Venezuela Transition Ahead of Trump Meeting

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, seeking support for a democratic transition in her country. The Pope criticized the use of military force in Venezuela and called for the protection of human rights. This diplomatic outreach precedes Machado's anticipated visit to Washington, where US President Donald Trump has confirmed he expects to meet her. Trump also discussed plans for major reconstruction and the revitalization of Venezuela's vast oil reserves, suggesting potential multi-billion dollar deals.

Key Points: Machado Meets Pope, Seeks Venezuela Backing Before Trump Talks

  • Machado seeks Vatican backing for democratic transition
  • Pope criticizes use of military force in Venezuela
  • Trump confirms anticipated meeting with Machado
  • Trump outlines plans to rebuild Venezuela's oil sector
  • Venezuela holds world's largest oil reserves but minimal production
3 min read

Machado meets Pope Leo XIV, seeks support for Venezuela transition ahead of Trump meeting

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado meets Pope Leo XIV for transition support ahead of her scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump.

"I understand she's coming in next week... I look forward to saying hello to her. - Donald Trump"

Vatican City, January 12

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado held talks with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, seeking support for a democratic transition in Venezuela after the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, ahead of her Washington visit to meet US President Donald Trump, The Washington Post reported.

Machado's Vatican meeting comes amid Venezuela's political upheaval and forms part of her broader diplomatic outreach as she pushes for international backing for a democratic transition.

Pope Leo XIV, the first US Pope, has also addressed the Venezuela situation, calling for the country to remain independent following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on the orders of President Donald Trump.

In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic objectives and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela.

Machado's outreach comes after US President Donald Trump last week, on Thursday, indicated that she is expected to visit Washington, DC, next week and that he anticipates meeting her during the trip.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said, "I understand she's coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her, and I've heard that she wants to do that."

The remarks followed Trump's public comments on Machado's political position in Venezuela. Addressing reporters earlier, the US President described her as a "very nice woman," but said she "doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country" required to lead the nation.

Trump said the anticipated meeting would mark his first interaction with Machado, adding that she had previously said she had not spoken to him since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October last year.

Machado, for her part, had earlier said on the Fox News programme Hannity that she wanted to "personally" thank Trump for the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Trump also linked the political developments in Venezuela to reconstruction plans, arguing that the country's democratic systems had broken down and would require major rebuilding. "We have to rebuild the country. They couldn't have an election," he said, adding, "They wouldn't even know how to have an election right now."

Turning to Venezuela's energy sector, Trump said firms would be tasked with restoring the country's oil infrastructure. "They're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least USD 100 billion and it's an unbelievable oil that they have, and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil," Trump said.

Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves but contributes less than one per cent of global production. Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela could supply between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, a deal he said could be valued at up to USD 2.8 billion at current prices.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The Pope's criticism of military force is the most sensible part of this story. Peaceful transition should be the goal. Also, Trump talking about rebuilding their oil infrastructure... sounds more like an economic opportunity for the US than pure concern for Venezuelans.
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Aditya G
Trump saying she doesn't have support in her own country, then meeting her anyway? The whole thing feels like political theatre. The focus should be on stabilizing the nation for its citizens, not on oil deals worth billions.
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Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. It's a complex situation. The Nobel laureate seeking moral support from the Pope makes sense, but the heavy involvement of the US president in another country's affairs always makes me uneasy. Sovereignty is important.
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Karthik V
The oil figures are staggering. 30-50 million barrels? No wonder there's so much interest. But I hope the Venezuelan people benefit from their own resources this time, and it doesn't become another case of foreign exploitation.
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Meera T
With respect to Machado ji, seeking international backing is one thing, but true leadership is built from within. If the people don't support her, no amount of meetings in the Vatican or Washington will create a stable government. The solution must be homegrown.

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