Donald Trump has recently been dismissive about Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s chances of leading Venezuela, saying she is a “nice” woman but lacks the “support” and “respect” needed in the country.

What Trump Said About Machado

  • Trump said it would be “very tough” for María Corina Machado to become Venezuela’s leader after Nicolás Maduro’s removal, arguing that she “doesn’t have the support” or the “respect” within the country.
  • He repeatedly described her as a “very nice woman” while insisting that Venezuelans do not respect her enough for her to govern.

Context: Why He Was Asked

  • These remarks came right after a U.S. military operation that led to the capture and removal of Maduro, with Trump announcing that the United States would effectively “run” Venezuela temporarily until a new leadership is in place.
  • Machado, a long‑time opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had publicly welcomed Maduro’s capture and called it an “hour of freedom,” which made reporters ask if she would now take power.

How This Fits Into Latest News

  • Trump framed U.S. control as a way to ensure security and rebuild Venezuela’s oil sector, tying Machado’s limited “respect” to his argument that she should not be the one to lead the transition.
  • Some analysts and commentators in Latin America and U.S. media have pushed back, saying Machado does enjoy significant popular backing and that Trump is downplaying her role in the opposition.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.