United States of America

Trump Denies Telling Machado Not to Return to Venezuela

Is Trump backing Machado's return to Venezuela or sabotaging her through back-channel intermediaries?

Published 3 days ago

Trump Denies Telling Machado Not to Return to Venezuela

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Above: Maria Corina Machado at the Four Seasons Hotel in Madrid, Spain, on April 20. Image credit: David Canales/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Anti-Trump narrative

Trump's denial means nothing if he's merely smiling in public and working against individuals in private. He already warned Machado in a private meeting at the Oval Office against going back to Venezuela. The second time, he sent others to do it for him, and the sources behind this leak trace straight back to Rubio's own circle.

Javier Negre on X

Orlando J. Pérez on X

Pro-Trump narrative

The Axios piece against Landau runs almost entirely on anonymous sources, while Rubio has never said a negative word about Machado and Trump has openly praised her. This reporting is mere factional noise contradicting a clear government position.

PJ Media

David Alandete on X

Pro-Maduro narrative

Either Machado is being punished for playing both sides, courting Democrats while claiming to be Trump's ally, or she simply chose not to return to Venezuela. There has been no decree, no blockade, no ban — she has simply failed to return to her home country while Maduro provides the leadership needed in the wake or ongoing challenges, including the recent deadly quakes.

El Cuarto Rojo on X

Indira Urbaneja on X