Machado Meeting: Trump to Discuss Venezuela and Cartel Strikes

Published: 09 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Donald Trump confirmed he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, signaling a new chapter in US-Venezuela relations. The announcement comes days after Trump’s forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and escalated pressure on Latin American drug cartels. Trump emphasized that the Machado meeting is scheduled for next week and expressed optimism about discussions, highlighting the opposition leader’s Nobel peace prize recognition. Analysts note that this engagement could influence Venezuela’s political trajectory, but questions remain about Machado’s support domestically and her ability to unite opposition factions effectively.

In a Thursday interview with Fox News, Trump said Machado is “coming in next week sometime,” adding, “I look forward to saying hello to her.” This marks their first direct encounter, although Machado had previously indicated she had not spoken to Trump since winning the Nobel prize in October. Political analysts observe that this meeting may have symbolic significance as much as strategic value, showcasing US endorsement of certain opposition figures while leaving Maduro’s loyalists uncertain.

The US president also hinted at escalating actions against drug cartels. He stressed that strikes on land could target Mexico, expanding an already aggressive campaign. “We are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico,” Trump told Fox News, signaling a potential broadening of US military involvement. Since September, US strikes against alleged cartel operations in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea have reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths.

Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has responded cautiously. Rodríguez’s administration has begun releasing political prisoners, including foreigners, in what appears to be a concession to the US. Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez was among those freed. Machado hailed the releases on social media, declaring, “Injustice will not last forever and … truth, although it be wounded, ends up finding its way.”

Despite the political gestures, Trump cautioned that Venezuela is far from being ready to conduct democratic elections. He noted that sustained US pressure on Maduro, combined with strategic support for opposition figures like Machado, will be essential to stabilizing governance. Political observers stress that any upcoming elections would need extensive international monitoring to gain legitimacy, given the country’s recent turbulence.

The Machado meeting also raises broader questions about US-Latin American diplomacy. Trump’s approach, mixing high-profile diplomatic engagements with overt military threats, could redefine relations across the hemisphere. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly resisted US military proposals, stating the Americas “do not belong” to any external power, reflecting regional sensitivities regarding sovereignty and US intervention.

Trump’s willingness to meet Machado while threatening land strikes illustrates a dual approach of diplomacy and force. Experts suggest that this strategy may aim to pressure Maduro loyalists while bolstering opposition legitimacy. Meanwhile, Machado’s Nobel prize recognition could amplify international attention on Venezuela’s internal politics and encourage other nations to reassess engagement strategies.

The coming weeks will be critical as Trump’s administration navigates Venezuela’s political complexities. The meeting with Machado could serve as a symbolic endorsement of opposition ambitions while continuing to exert pressure on Maduro through targeted strikes. Analysts predict that US-Venezuela dynamics will remain tense, with high stakes for regional stability and international relations.

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