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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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President Donald Trump told the New York Post in an exclusive Sunday interview that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could only win an election "if I did support her," while arguing that restoring "law and order" must take priority over democratic elections following the dramatic U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump was noncommittal when pressed on whether he would back the Nobel Peace Prize winner, instead emphasizing that Venezuela's economic collapse makes elections a secondary concern. "I don't think she's got the support of the people that she has to have," Trump said. "That's all."
Why It Matters
Machado heads the Vente Venezuela party and overwhelmingly won a 2023 presidential primary, but the country's Supreme Tribunal of Justice blocked her from running for president directly.
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Trump's comments signal a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela, prioritizing economic stabilization and American control over democratic transition. His hesitation to endorse Machado—widely recognized as Venezuela's leading opposition figure and a Nobel laureate—raises questions about the future of Venezuelan democracy and the extent of American involvement in governing the country.
The president's emphasis on accessing Venezuela's "valuable oil and valuable other things" suggests economic interests will heavily influence U.S. decision-making in the nation's reconstruction.
What To Know
Trump described the U.S. military operation as a "complete and total victory," noting that no American personnel were killed, though several were wounded. "We had nobody killed, a couple of guys wounded. We lost no helicopters or jets or planes," he said, comparing the mission to previous operations against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and Iran's nuclear program.
The president dismissed concerns about Venezuela becoming another Iraq or Afghanistan-style quagmire, saying "I don't get concerned about things" when asked about reports that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is arming supporters and resisting U.S. control.
Trump characterized Venezuela as "literally become a third-world country ready to fail" after decades of socialist governance, arguing the nation requires American management before any electoral process. "We should run the country properly," he said. "We should run the country with law and order. We should run the country where we can take advantage of the economics of what they have."
Despite questioning Machado's popular support, Trump said he likes her "very much" and left open the possibility of future elections.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told the New York Post: "Maybe [Machado] should run. Maybe somebody else should run."
Adding: "But first, we have to run the country right."
Maria Corina Machado in a statement posted on X, in part: "This is the time of the citizens. Those of us who risked everything for democracy on July 28. Those of us who elected Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate President of Venezuela, who must immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces by all the officers and soldiers who make it up. Today we are ready to assert our mandate and take power. Let us remain vigilant, active and organized until the Democratic Transition takes place. A transition that needs us all."
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What Happens Next
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has taken the place of Maduro as leader of Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told host Kristen Welker on NBC's Meet the Press that he believed it was too early to be considering Venezuelan elections following this weekend's miliary action, “All of that, I think, is premature at this point. There’s a lot of work to be done here."
Rubio called Machado “fantastic" but insisted the U.S. needs to address more pressing issues in Venezuela like the transport of oil and drug smuggling.
Update 1/4/26, 8:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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