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Trump Meets Venezuelan Opposition Leader as Supporters Rally at White House

Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gathered outside the White House ahead of her meeting with former US President Donald Trump. The demonstrators expressed gratitude to Machado, Trump, and Senator Marco Rubio for supporting their cause for freedom and political change in Venezuela. The meeting occurs in the context of the US conducting its first $500 million sale of Venezuelan oil following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump has previously stated the US intends to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves and recruit American investment to rebuild its industry.

Key Points: Trump-Machado Meeting: Supporters Rally for Venezuela Freedom

  • Rally ahead of Trump-Machado meeting
  • Supporters thank Trump and Rubio
  • US sells $500M of Venezuelan oil
  • Follows capture of Nicolas Maduro
2 min read

Supporters gather outside White House ahead of Corina Machado -Trump meeting

Supporters gather as Trump meets Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Rally calls for political change and thanks US for action against Maduro.

"I just want to go back and be part of the reconstruction of my country. - Adriana Molinero, supporter"

Washington, DC, January 16

Ahead of the meeting between Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and Donald Trump, supporters gathered outside the White House on Thursday, urging action against Venezuela's current regime.

US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will meet today at White House.

Supporters gathered in the US capital, waving flags and chants echoing calls for freedom and political change in their homeland.

A supporter, Adriana Molinero, told ANI, "I have been here in the US for three years, and I'm here right now because I just want to go back and be part of the reconstruction of my country. I have a lot of friends who fought, who died, who are in prison right now just because they want to think differently... We just want freedom and want to express ourselves. I want to thank Maria Corina Machado. She has been the greatest leader in Venezuela right now, and to Donald Trump and Marco Rubio for helping our cause."

Another supporter, Isabel Hayek, told ANI, "I truly trust in Maria Corina Machado. She's a big representation of the belief of all Venezuelans. She's a real leader... She is going to make President Trump understand that the people respect her, and the people respect him, and unfortunately, the current usurper of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, is not the person that Venezuela needs, wants, and deserves. We deserve Donald Trump, we deserve Maria Corina Machado, we thank Marco Rubio."

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.

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.

Meanwhile, the United States has made its first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at USD 500 million, according to the Donald Trump administration, as reported by the New York-based news outlet Semafor.

The development comes following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of the South American country 11 days ago. Following this, Trump said that US is taking control of Venezuela's oil reserves and recruit American companies to invest billions of dollars to refurbish the country's gutted oil industry, CNN had reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The US selling Venezuelan oil so quickly after Maduro's capture tells you everything. It's about resources, not freedom. Reminds me of old colonial patterns. The supporters' hope is touching, but I fear they are being used.
A
Arjun K
As an Indian, seeing external powers get so deeply involved in another country's politics is concerning. We believe in non-interference. The line between support and interference is very thin. The people of Venezuela should lead their own change.
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Priyanka N
Trump saying she doesn't have support *within* the country, while meeting her and selling their oil... the hypocrisy is astounding. The supporters' passion is real, but their leaders might be making deals over their heads. Feel for the common people caught in this.
M
Michael C
The article mentions "recruit American companies to invest billions". This is classic economic imperialism. First create instability, then move in for the "reconstruction" contracts. Hope India continues to pursue a balanced, independent foreign policy and doesn't get drawn into such adventures.
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Kavya N
The supporter Adriana's words about wanting to go back and rebuild her country are so heartfelt. 💔 No matter the geopolitics, one must respect the ordinary citizen's dream for a better homeland. But trusting Trump and Rubio with that dream is a big gamble.

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