Trump to meet with Venezuelas opposition leader after praising terrific Maduro loyalist
FOX News12 hrs
Venezuela's Machado Presents Trump With Her Nobel Peace Prize Medal
Should Venezuelans trust Trump's brilliant strategy to dismantle Chavismo, or should they pressure the U.S. for a democratic transition?
Above: Maria Corina Machado presents Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize on Jan. 15. Image credit: The White House via Sky News
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump's brilliant strategy uses Delcy Rodriguez as a puppet to dismantle the Chavista regime without boots on the ground or nation-building chaos, while preventing the María Corina Machado-led opposition from facing dangerous military resistance that could create a failed state in Venezuela. Trump wants Venezuela to be a democracy, but first he must force corrupt insiders to purge their own ranks and clear the path for real democracy.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump only wants oil access and geopolitical leverage, not democratic renewal, so Machado faces a serious risk of being sidelined as the U.S. and Maduro loyalists reach deals without opposition involvement. It's pressing for the opposition to mobilize mass protests with achievable goals, emancipate itself from U.S. interests and form an international bloc with other democratic countries. Otherwise, the Chavista will continue in power in Venezuela.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
More neutral establishment stance articles
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0