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Trump to Meet Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado in DC Next Week

US President Donald Trump stated he expects to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during her visit to Washington, D.C. next week. Trump commented that while Machado is a "very nice woman," he questioned her level of support and respect within Venezuela to lead the nation. The President linked Venezuela's political future to economic recovery, highlighting a major role for energy companies in rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure. He also noted Venezuela's potential to supply the US with billions of dollars worth of oil once its industry is revived.

Key Points: Trump Confirms Meeting with Venezuela's Machado in Washington

  • Trump confirms upcoming DC meeting
  • Machado seeks to thank Trump
  • Trump questions Machado's domestic support
  • Plan to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry
2 min read

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado to visit Washington next week: Trump

President Trump announces he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in DC, discussing Venezuela's political future and oil industry revival.

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

Washington, DC, January 9

US President Donald Trump on Thursday stated that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is likely to visit Washington, DC, next week and that he expects to meet her during the visit.

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 follow Trump's recent 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.

Commenting on the broader situation in Venezuela, Trump said the country would need extensive rebuilding, arguing that its democratic systems had broken down. "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."

Trump also linked political reconstruction with economic recovery, saying he would meet oil executives at the White House on Friday and signalling a major role for energy companies in reviving Venezuela's oil industry.

He said the firms would be responsible for restoring the country's energy 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 possesses the largest proven oil reserves globally but accounts for under one per cent of worldwide production. Trump said on Tuesday that the country 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

S
Sarah B
Trump saying they "wouldn't even know how to have an election" is quite a statement. Every country has its own democratic journey. India's election process is a point of pride for us. Perhaps support should focus on institution-building, not just resource extraction.
A
Ananya R
The focus seems to be more on the oil deal ($100 billion!) than on the Venezuelan people. Feels like a business transaction wrapped in political talk. As Indians, we've seen how foreign interests can sometimes overshadow local needs. Hope for the best for their citizens.
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Karthik V
Rebuilding a nation's infrastructure is a massive task. If foreign companies are involved, the terms must be fair and transparent. Venezuela's oil should benefit its people first. Lessons from our own development could be useful here.
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Michael C
With respect, I have to disagree with the article's framing a bit. It's important for opposition leaders to have international dialogue, but the narrative is very US-centric. The voice of the common Venezuelan seems missing. The solution must come from within.
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Priyanka N
Trump calling her a "very nice woman" but questioning her support... that's a classic backhanded compliment, no? 😅 Leadership legitimacy comes from the people, not foreign endorsements. Hope Venezuela finds a peaceful path forward. Jai Hind!

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