Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado remains unable to return to her home country after leaving to accept the Nobel Peace Prize last year. Machado, who spoke with The New York Times in Panama, where she is currently residing, expressed her views on the current political landscape in Venezuela and her relationship with the Trump administration.

The United States captured autocratic leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, and subsequently installed his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, in power. This decision bypassed Machado, whose political movement had won the 2024 presidential vote. Despite her supporters facing arrest, violence, and imprisonment during that election, the ruling party retained control and continues to govern under President Trump's administration.

Machado stated that while she and the U.S. government may have different timelines for Venezuela's democratic transition, their ultimate vision aligns. She emphasized that the will of the Venezuelan people to be free and organized cannot be sidelined. "We have the same vision in terms of a democratic transition," Machado told The Times, "and in that sense, you cannot sideline the will of a people that have decided to be free and that have organized themselves to achieve it."

Regarding the U.S. decision to keep Delcy Rodríguez in power, Machado acknowledged it as a possibility, noting Rodríguez's compliance with directives. However, she believes Rodríguez, as part of a "criminal system," was not essential for a smooth transition. "I believe it could have been done, certainly, without her because she’s part of the criminal system," Machado said. "But it is what it is, and here’s where we are, and as I said before, it’s in the interest of the Venezuelan people that this works."

Looking ahead, Machado outlined her vision for justice should she become the leader of Venezuela. She asserted that her government would not replicate the human rights and constitutional violations of the current regime. Instead, the focus will be on offering justice and respecting the rights of all individuals, including those who committed violations. "We want Venezuela to change, so something that we certainly will not do is act as the regime has done, violating human rights and violating the Constitution," Machado explained.

Her proposed approach involves establishing a truth commission composed of individuals dedicated to uncovering the truth and ensuring that past crimes are never repeated. This initiative aims to lay the foundation for an enduring institutional framework. Machado stressed that her motivations are not driven by revenge or hate, but by a commitment to truth and accountability.

Machado's primary objective is to return to Venezuela and participate in future elections. Her continued advocacy from abroad highlights the ongoing struggle for democratic change within the country. The current political arrangement, with Rodríguez in power under U.S. influence, remains a point of contention for the opposition.

The future of Venezuela's leadership and the process of accountability for alleged past wrongdoings remain central issues. Machado's statements underscore the complexities of the nation's political transition and the differing perspectives on how to achieve a stable, democratic future.