A power struggle has intensified in Venezuela between Nobel Peace Prize-winning democracy leader Maria Corina Machado and a key figure in the Maduro dictatorship, Delcy Rodriguez.
As Machado gains significant public support, Rodriguez, the interim president, has aligned herself with U.S. President Donald Trump, creating a complex political landscape.
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and other outlets, Machado held her first press conference after returning to the country, officially declaring her intention for regime change.
On the same day, Rodriguez delivered a pre-recorded speech outlining her vision for national development, countering Machado's claims.
During her press conference in Caracas, Machado stated, "The day of the election is the day of freedom," emphasizing her return to unite and organize society. She insisted that "the transition to democracy cannot be reversed," highlighting the need for political reform in Venezuela, including the dismantling of remnants of the dictatorship.
Machado expressed gratitude to President Trump for his role in ousting former President Nicolas Maduro in January. However, she criticized the oil agreement between the U.S. and the interim government, stating it did not meet the transparency levels demanded by society.
She has previously condemned U.S. dominance over Venezuela's vast oil reserves as "resource plunder and territorial invasion." Trump has effectively recognized the legitimacy of Rodriguez's government in exchange for near-monopolistic access to Venezuela's oil.
Rodriguez, who has served as Maduro's second-in-command and held positions as oil minister, finance minister, and vice president, has shifted to a pro-U.S. stance following Maduro's ousting.
Machado, who has consistently led in various polls, returned to Venezuela on October 25 and has since engaged in public political activities. She met with her lawyer, who is under house arrest, and resumed contact with supporters. On October 28, she visited La Guaira state, where thousands died in a major earthquake in June. Henry Alvares, the national organizational leader of Machado's party, Vente Venezuela, indicated that she plans to embark on a nationwide campaign in preparation for a presidential run.
In a move seemingly aimed at countering Machado, Rodriguez released a 15-minute pre-recorded speech before Machado's press conference. Rodriguez's term as acting vice president has legally expired. Regarding the election schedule, she stated, "The political outlook for Venezuela cannot be gauged solely by dates on a calendar," avoiding a direct answer. She warned that elections should not become a source of conflict, labeling Machado's push for early elections as an act of national division.
Conversely, Alvares from Machado's camp argued that the most urgent task is to set a date for the elections. He emphasized, "Only then can a true transition begin, allowing the Venezuelan people to confidently look to the future with peace of mind."
The U.S. government, which has supported the spread of liberal democracy worldwide since the last century, finds itself in a dilemma as the power struggle in Venezuela escalates. Traditional democratic values of dismantling remnants of dictatorship clash with national interests in securing energy resources.
Currently, the U.S. government is engaged in discussions with Rodriguez's interim government and some opposition figures under the pretext of reconciliation and addressing historical grievances. However, the timing of the elections has yet to be discussed in these negotiations, and Machado's participation remains uncertain.
As the midterm elections approach, the Trump administration has not obstructed Machado's return, but it has expressed caution regarding her future actions.
The Wall Street Journal noted that the showdown between Machado and Rodriguez will serve as a significant test for the Trump administration, which aims to rebuild Venezuela's stagnant economy and reopen its key energy sector to U.S. investors following Maduro's ousting.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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