Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado says the formal recognition Delcy Rodríguez as interim president of Venezuela is aimed at speeding the country’s political transition. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado said the recent formal recognition by the United States of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president of Venezuela is part of a strategy to accelerate the country’s political transition.
Speaking Thursday at a news conference in Chile, Machado said Venezuela is advancing toward democracy for the first time in 27 years. She said Rodríguez now has the responsibility to dismantle repressive structures built under the previous government.
“The United States, in its plan to move forward in this first phase, has given clear instructions to Rodríguez for sectors of the regime to dismantle the repressive, corrupt and criminal structure they themselves created, and that is what is happening now,” Machado said. She attended the inauguration of Chilean President José Antonio Kast.
In a March 10, 2026, letter signed by Ambassador Michael G. Kozak, a senior official in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the United States recognized Rodríguez as president of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January.
The document states that diplomatic and consular relations are being normalized under Rodríguez’s leadership and grants her legal authority to act on behalf of the Republic of Venezuela before U.S. courts and international bodies within U.S. jurisdiction.
The recognition is intended to facilitate a gradual transition to a democratically elected government, but includes safeguards. Digital outlet Efecto Cocuyo said Washington will maintain strict oversight of transactions involving the interim government and retain tools such as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to press for reforms.
Machado said Rodríguez also bears responsibility for directing repression against opponents of Maduro and recalled her alleged ties to extremist groups, including Hezbollah, over more than 20 years.
“Delcy Rodríguez is a core part of the criminal structure of the Chávez and Maduro regime. She directed the entire system of civil repression and torture in the country. She is directly responsible,” Machado said.
Despite those allegations, Machado defended the Trump administration’s decision to recognize Rodríguez, arguing that conditions are not currently in place to attract investment or hold democratic elections.
“The only nation in the world that has risked the life of one of its citizens for the freedom of Venezuela is the United States. We must recognize and thank that. Thanks to President Trump’s decision, Nicolás Maduro is now facing justice, something he denied to millions of Venezuelans,” she said.
Machado said Washington is pursuing a three-phase plan, implemented simultaneously, to legitimize authorities, separate powers within the state and curb corruption. She said initial steps are already underway to cut off funding streams used for corruption and criminal activity.
“Financial flows are being cut so they cannot use them for corruption, repression, violence or to expand criminal activities. It is a very important step,” she said.
She acknowledged the transition will be complex and require guarantees for those willing to facilitate the process, but insisted that justice must prevail.
“Finally we see those who committed crimes being brought to justice. Is there a long way to go? Yes. But we are moving forward and everyone here is committed to ensuring this is an orderly, firm, civic process without delay,” she said.
In Washington, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said he is confident Venezuela will hold “free and fair elections within a year.”
He described the country as undergoing a difficult transition to democracy and freedom.
“We must stop the oppression, free the prisoners and begin the campaign to decide who will be the next president of Venezuela,” the former Florida governor wrote on X.
Scott added that under Venezuela’s proposed amnesty law, all political prisoners detained by Maduro’s government should be released, but said more than half remain behind bars.
