WORKING WITH THE VP
Trump stated that the US had not been in contact with Machado, who had hailed the operation because the “hour of freedom”.
As an alternative, Trump stated Rubio spoke by phone to the vice chairman, Delcy Rodriguez, a stalwart of the leftist motion of Maduro and his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
“She’s primarily prepared to do what we expect is critical to make Venezuela nice once more. Quite simple,” Trump stated.
Rodriguez, nevertheless, didn’t stick with Trump’s script in an deal with to the nation, saying Maduro was the one president and demanding his return.
Most US allies, who had as soon as lined as much as oppose Maduro, shortly distanced themselves from Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whereas hailing the top of “Maduro’s dictatorship”, stated the desire of Venezuelans was represented by Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the opposition determine and Machado ally seen by the worldwide group because the legit winner of the 2024 elections.
Kevin Whitaker, a veteran former US diplomat coping with Latin America, together with Venezuela, stated he was “extraordinarily stunned” to listen to Trump undercut Machado.
“This appears to be a case the place the Trump administration, at the least by look at this level, is making selections concerning the democratic way forward for Venezuela with out referring again to the democratic end result” of the election, stated Whitaker, now on the Atlantic Council assume tank.
