Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that if opposition leader María Corina Machado returns to the country, she will be held accountable for her support of the military action that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to statements released Thursday.
Rodríguez, in an interview preview with NBC News, questioned Machado’s motives, asking why she requested military intervention, imposed sanctions on Venezuela, and celebrated events from early January. The statements come after Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed her intention to return to Venezuela following several weeks in the United States.
When asked about security guarantees for Machado, who spent months in hiding fearing government reprisal, Rodríguez responded, “As for her life, we do not understand why there is so much commotion.”
The comments follow the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3rd. Since then, U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced support for Rodríguez’s interim government, ensuring its adherence to Washington’s demands, including access to Venezuela’s oil sector. While initially excluding Machado from the transition process, Trump later described her presentation of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal as “something extraordinary” and suggested a potential future role for her in Venezuela.
Rodríguez also asserted that Maduro remains the legitimate president of Venezuela, claiming both he and Flores are innocent. She emphasized her role as president, stating the position is clearly defined by the Venezuelan Constitution and that she is actively fulfilling its duties.
A White House official recently announced that Rodríguez is scheduled to visit Washington, though a specific date has not been disclosed. This potential visit follows a meeting in Caracas between Rodríguez and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, where discussions centered on cooperation in energy matters.
Machado previously stated she does not believe her life is in danger if she returns to Venezuela, citing pressure from the United States on Rodríguez’s government.
