Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Friday said the country has begun the first steps of a “true transition” to democracy, expressing confidence that Venezuela will eventually be free with the support of the United States and President Donald Trump. Speaking at an event in Washington, Machado said the changes underway would have far-reaching consequences not only for Venezuelans but also for the wider region.

Machado’s remarks come amid a complex political realignment following a US military operation on January 3 that led to the seizure of long-time president Nicolas Maduro. Despite Machado being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her opposition campaign, President Trump has instead backed former vice president Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader, citing her willingness to cooperate with Washington, particularly on access to Venezuela’s oil resources.

Addressing the situation, Machado said Rodriguez was “following orders” rather than acting independently and reiterated her claim that Maduro had stolen the 2024 presidential election. These allegations have been supported by the United States and several members of the international community, though Trump has publicly questioned Machado’s level of domestic support inside Venezuela.

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The evolving US-Venezuela relationship was underscored a day earlier when CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Rodriguez in Caracas. A US official said the visit was intended to signal Washington’s interest in improving working relations. As a sign of renewed engagement, a US deportation flight carrying 231 Venezuelans landed in Caracas on Friday, the first such flight since Maduro’s removal.

Machado also revealed that she had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during a White House meeting, describing the gesture as symbolic and emotional. While Trump said he and Machado would continue discussions, it remains unclear whether he retained the medal, as Nobel rules prohibit transferring awards.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, has said her government is prepared to engage with the United States while defending national sovereignty. She delivered the state of the nation address to parliament as Maduro remains jailed in New York on drug trafficking charges, highlighting the sharp contrast between Venezuela’s competing political visions during this uncertain transition.

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