Trump’s Support for Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Declines

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of democratic reforms, announced her intention to return to Venezuela following the devastating earthquake that struck the country’s central region last week. The 6.8‑magnitude quake left thousands homeless, damaged critical infrastructure and intensified an already fragile humanitarian situation. Machado, currently residing abroad, said she wishes to be “with the Venezuelan people in their most vulnerable moment” and to help coordinate relief efforts, citing her long‑standing commitment to the nation’s civil society.

Both the Venezuelan government and the United States have expressed reservations about her return. Caracas officials warned that her presence could “further destabilize” the nation amid ongoing recovery operations, while the U.S. State Department cautioned that traveling to the affected area poses “significant security and health risks.” As diplomatic channels assess the implications, Machado’s planned visit remains pending, with authorities on both sides urging alternative means of support for the earthquake victims.