The meeting, held behind closed doors, is part of the broader strategy of the United States of America towards Venezuela, which includes political dialogue with opposition actors, but also pressure on the current authorities through oil sanctions, maritime surveillance and limited economic concessions.
Venezuelans gathered outside the White House to greet María Corina Machado and thank President Trump for his support of freedom in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/zpbnu25Eyr
— Emmanuel Rincon (@EmmaRincon) January 15, 2026
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that the conversation was ongoing as she left the Oval Office, describing Machado as “an extraordinary and courageous voice for a large number of Venezuelan citizens.”
“The president was looking forward to the meeting and wanted an open and constructive conversation,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump wanted to hear first-hand what the real situation is in Venezuela and what challenges the country is facing.
María Corina Machado tras su reunión en la Casa Blanca: “Sepan que contamos con el presidente Trump para la libertad de Venezuela”. pic.twitter.com/7IN7Q9Ub4g
— Emmanuel Rincon (@EmmaRincon) January 15, 2026
The meeting took place at a time when the US administration maintains intensive contacts with the interim government in Caracas.
Leavitt said US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are “in constant communication” with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, following the recent ouster of Nicolas Maduro.
Leavitt described the interim government as “extremely cooperative”, noting that so far all the demands made by the American side have been met.
As concrete examples of cooperation, she mentioned the sale of Venezuelan oil worth 500 million dollars, as well as the release of political prisoners.
“The president is pleased with what he sees and expects such a relationship to continue,” Leavitt said.
Interestingly, Trump has previously publicly questioned Machado’s political legitimacy, even though he hosted her for a working lunch during this visit.
Machado said in an interview with Fox News last week that she hopes to personally convey the message to Trump that the Venezuelan people would like to award him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Shortly after that statement, the Norwegian Nobel Institute announced that the prizes “cannot be revoked, shared or transferred”.
After leaving the White House, Machado did not address the media or answer questions about the content of the conversation with Trump. Instead, she addressed supporters gathered outside the building, who greeted her with shouts, hugs and Venezuelan flags. She briefly said “Gracias” to them, and then signed autographs.
BIENVENIDA A WASHINGTON MARÍA CORINA MACHADO! pic.twitter.com/oXBSEDacXG
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) January 15, 2026
While Machado was in Washington preparing meetings on Capitol Hill, Delcy Rodriguez delivered her first State of the Nation address in Caracas, less than two weeks after Maduro’s ouster.
Trump and his advisers, despite her role in the former administration, have sent signals that they are ready to cooperate with Rodriguez, which indicates a pragmatic US approach to the new political reality in Venezuela.
(Vijesti.ba)
