{"id":2530462,"date":"2026-01-06T10:34:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/machado-flatters-trump-after-being-overlooked-to-replace-maduro\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T10:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:35:38","slug":"machado-flatters-trump-after-being-overlooked-to-replace-maduro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/machado-flatters-trump-after-being-overlooked-to-replace-maduro\/","title":{"rendered":"Machado flatters Trump after being overlooked to replace Maduro"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmachado-flatters-trump-after-being-overlooked-to-replace-maduro%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2530462&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Venezuelan opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado praised President Donald Trump after U.S. forces removed Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, even though the Trump administration did not back her to lead the country.Instead, Washington has allowed longtime Maduro insider Delcy Rodr\u00edguez to remain in power, reportedly following a CIA suggestion that continuity would provide stability and avoid a U.S. military occupation. Other explanations for the White House&#8217;s stance include concerns about Machado&#8217;s leadership and possible personal friction after she won a Nobel Prize last year.<\/p>\n<p>Machado told Fox News she is grateful for Trump&#8217;s actions and called Jan. 3-the day U.S.forces captured Maduro-a historic victory for justice and freedom.She reiterated her support for U.S. goals for Venezuela: dismantling criminal networks, restoring rule of law, opening markets to foreign investment, and turning Venezuela into an energy hub and close U.S.ally.<\/p>\n<p>Barred from the 2024 ballot by Maduro&#8217;s regime, Machado had won a 2023 primary and later endorsed Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez as the legitimate president; she urged him to assume power after Maduro&#8217;s ouster. Rodr\u00edguez remains precarious, with Trump warning she could &#8220;fare worse&#8221; than Maduro if she resists Washington&#8217;s demands.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Machado peppers Trump with flattery after being overlooked to take over after Maduro capture<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2464209\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/venezuela\/\">Venezuelan<\/a> opposition leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4400705\/venezuela-opposition-leader-maria-machado-us-fulfilled-promise\/\">Maria Corina Machado<\/a> on Monday lavished praise on President Donald Trump for wresting power from former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While Machado has emerged in recent years as the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fncs-carlson-its-time-for-the-democrats-to-accept-their-victory-forgive-the-team-they-beat-and-to-move-on-you-won-be-happy\/\" title=\"FNC&#039;s Carlson: It&#039;s Time for the Democrats to &#039;Accept Their Victory,&#039; &#039;Forgive the Team They Beat and to Move On&#039; -- &#039;You Won, Be Happy&#039;\">powerful leader<\/a> in the country to challenge Maduro, the Trump administration did not rally behind her to succeed the fallen president, instead backing Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodr&iacute;guez to head the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4407567\/trump-venezuela-intervention-2028-debate-rubio-vance\/\">Trump&#8217;s Venezuela intervention could settle the 2028 debate for Rubio and Vance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4406473\/trump-could-take-action-cuba-colombia-venezuela\/\">Trump signals he could take action on Cuba, Colombia, and other countries after Venezuela<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4406688\/secret-service-suspect-arrested-break-in-vance-cincinnati-home\/\">Secret Service says suspect arrested after man with hammer attacked Vance&#8217;s Cincinnati home<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>After Trump voiced doubts about her capability to lead Venezuela, Machado took to one of his favorite cable news shows this week to herald the president, telling host Sean Hannity<em> <\/em>on Fox News&rsquo;s <em>Hannity<\/em> that she is grateful for &ldquo;his courageous vision, the actions, historical actions he has taken against this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republican-feuds-with-laura-loomer-doesnt-have-the-faintest-idea-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"House Republican feuds with Laura Loomer: \u2018Doesn\u2019t have the faintest idea\u2019 - Washington Examiner\">narco-terrorist regime<\/a> to start dismantling this structure, and bringing Maduro to justice.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The White House has thus far allowed Rodr&iacute;guez, a longtime Maduro insider, to remain at the helm of the government, apparently due to the CIA&rsquo;s recommendation that continuity would provide stability and stave off the need for a U.S. military presence, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/national-security\/cia-concluded-regime-loyalists-were-best-placed-to-lead-venezuela-after-maduro-24b0be1a?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos3\">according to<\/a> the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s ire that Machado was awarded the Nobel Prize last year instead of him could also explain why he declined to back her to lead Venezuela, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2026\/01\/04\/us-venezuela-plan-trump-rubio-miller\/\">according to<\/a> the <em>Washington Post<\/em>. However, the president called her a &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FpvhggIyWmE\">very nice<\/a>&rdquo; person after she won the prize and dedicated it in honor of Trump, saying he deserved it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A more likely explanation could center on the Trump administration&rsquo;s concerns that Machado lacks the robust leadership necessary to lead Venezuela after decades of decline. As they planned for Maduro&rsquo;s ouster and a tentative transition period to a democratic governance for Venenzuela over the past year, Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >team repeatedly expressed frustration<\/a> that Machado appeared to lack the will to meaningfully collaborate with the White House on the path forward, or provide details for how to transition the country out of the dictator&rsquo;s shadow, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/05\/us\/politics\/trump-venezuela-machado.html\">according to<\/a> the <em>New York Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>For now, Rodr&iacute;guez remains in power. However, she remains in a precarious position with the Trump administration, as the president has warned her that she will fare &ldquo;worse&rdquo; than Maduro if she refuses to comply with Washington&rsquo;s reforms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Should Rodr&iacute;guez falter, Machado would likely be seen internationally as the most natural democratic successor to Maduro, who has been accused by the U.S. and other countries for years of spearheading sham elections. Before he was ousted by U.S. military forces over the weekend, Maduro had not relinquished power since 2013.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As speculation lingers over whether the presidential role for her might still be in the running for her, Machado on Monday reiterated her support for the Trump administration, saying Jan. 3, the day U.S. forces took out Maduro, &ldquo;will go down in history as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maria-machado-praises-trump-for-his-courageous-visions-and-historical-actions\/\" title=\"Maria Machado praises Trump for his \u2018courageous visions\u2019 and \u2018...\u2019\">day justice defeated tyranny<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a milestone, and it&rsquo;s not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think it&rsquo;s a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity,&rdquo; she told Hannity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Machado secured a sweeping victory in an October 2023 primary election, setting herself up to challenge Maduro in the following year&rsquo;s general election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After being barred by the Maduro regime from running in the 2024 presidential election, Machado endorsed the lesser-known Edmundo Gonz&aacute;lez to run in her place against Maduro. However, Maduro declared himself the winner in that election as well, despite concerns from a host of countries that the supposed win was illegitimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Machado <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MariaCorinaYA\/status\/2007473689583829046\/photo\/1\">called for<\/a> Gonz&aacute;lez, the &ldquo;legitimate President of Venezuela,&rdquo; to &ldquo;immediately&rdquo; assume power after Maduro was captured last week.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is the hour of the citizens. Those of us who risked everything for democracy on June 28th. Those of us who elected Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate President of Venezuela, who must immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces by all the officers and soldiers who comprise it,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4400669\/what-is-delta-force-military-unit-behind-the-venezuela-raid\/\"><strong>WHAT IS THE DELTA FORCE? THE US MILITARY UNIT BEHIND THE VENEZUELA RAID TOPPLING MADURO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Machado echoed the Trump administration&rsquo;s hopes for Venezuela&rsquo;s future, saying she hopes the country can surge as a global &ldquo;energy hub.&rdquo; Venezuela holds the most oil reserves of any country in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A free Venezuela means, first, a security ally, dismantling the criminal hub of the Americas and turning it into a security shield, the strongest ally to dismantle all these criminal structures that have made so much damage and harm to our people and to the American people as well,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Secondly, we will turn Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas. We will bring rule of law. We will open markets. We will give security to foreign investment. Third, we&rsquo;ll bring millions of Venezuelans that have been forced to flee their country back home, to build a strong nation, prosperous nation, open society. We will [leave] behind all the destruction this socialist regime, criminal regime, has brought to our people and turn Venezuela into the main ally of the United States in Latin America.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Machado lauds Trump despite being overlooked<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2530463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26004026956748_059a57.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[32319,64941,34922,36408,50813],"class_list":["post-2530462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-donald-trump","tag-maria-corina-machado","tag-nicolas-maduro","tag-us-foreign-policy","tag-venezuela-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26004026956748_059a57.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2530462"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530462\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2530466,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530462\/revisions\/2530466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2530463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2530462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2530462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2530462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}