Trump to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Machado on Thursday

The Venezuelan opposition figure has been largely frozen out of US discussions over the country’s future.Published On 12 Jan 2026United States President Donald Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.The Venezuelan opposition figure has played little role in debates about the country’s future since the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, with Trump expressing doubt that she has the support necessary to govern Venezuela. Machado said last week that she had not spoken to Trump since October.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Venezuela says over 100 political prisoners released; pope meets Machadolist 2 of 3Trump warns Cuba to make a deal with the US ‘before it is too late’list 3 of 3Which countries host the largest Venezuelan populations?end of listInstead, Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has assumed the role of interim president under the threat of further military attacks if her government does not submit to US demands on a range of issues.The Venezuelan government said on Monday that it had freed dozens of political prisoners, some of whom were jailed during protests against Maduro following the disputed 2024 election.“I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader,” Trump said of Machado after Maduro’s abduction. “She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect.”Machado, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 that Trump had sought for himself, met with Pope Leo XIV on Monday.“Today I had the blessing and honour of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country,” Machado said in a statement.“I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared,” she added.