Key facts
- The U.S. has sidelined popular opposition leader María Corina Machado in favor of Dinorah Figuera for Venezuela's democratic transition.
- Figuera, an exiled politician, was selected by the Trump administration to represent the opposition in talks.
- The U.S. State Department invited Figuera and other exiled politicians to Caracas.
- Jorge Rodríguez has been installed as interim president following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
- The U.S. plans a three-phase strategy for Venezuela: stabilization, recovery, and elections.
- The U.S. has secured majority control of about a third of Venezuela's oil reserves.
The U.S. has taken a leading role in Venezuela's transition to democracy following the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, establishing a de facto governing presence from a Marriott hotel in Caracas. The State Department has orchestrated talks between the Venezuelan government, represented by interim president Jorge Rodríguez, and an opposition delegation led by Dinorah Figuera.
Figuera, a lesser-known exiled politician, was chosen by the Trump administration over the highly popular opposition leader María Corina Machado. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been widely seen as the most likely figure to lead a future democratic government but was dismissed by Trump as lacking the necessary "respect." The U.S. has recognized Venezuela's exiled National Assembly since 2019, which made Figuera, as its leader, an institutional choice for the administration.
The U.S. strategy, outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and detailed by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, involves facilitating a Venezuelan-led process. This plan includes stabilization, recovery, and eventual elections. The administration has also announced that Venezuela has agreed to grant the U.S. majority control over a significant portion of its oil reserves, framing it as a partnership with private business.
While Machado has not openly criticized the White House, she issued a statement indicating she would not obstruct "tangible progress" but would not be responsible for the outcome. Figuera expressed a sense of calm about her selection but later canceled an interview. Insiders suggest that many in the opposition are hesitant to alienate Washington, viewing this as Venezuela's best chance for liberation, even if it means accepting U.S. terms.