WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) – United States President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will go to Washington next week.
During an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Trump was asked if he planned to meet with Machado following the U.S. raids on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
“Well, I understand that she will be coming next week at some point, and I look forward to greeting her,” Trump responded.
The White House did not immediately respond when contacted for more details about the meeting.
This will be Trump’s first meeting with Machado, who said earlier this week that he had not spoken to the US leader since winning the Nobel Peace Prize in October.
The future governance of the South American country remains in doubt. Over the weekend, Trump dismissed the idea of working with Machado, saying “she doesn’t have the support or respect within the country.”
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Trump told Fox News that it will take time for the South American country, currently led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, to reach a point where it can hold elections.
“We have to rebuild the country. They couldn’t hold an election,” he said. “They wouldn’t even know how to run an election at this point.”
Venezuela, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is one of the largest oil producers. The country’s oil sector has become a focal point of the Trump administration, with a senior official telling Reuters that sales of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. will begin immediately with an initial shipment of approximately 30 million to 50 million barrels and will continue indefinitely.
Trump said he will meet with U.S. oil executives at the White House this Friday. These oil companies, according to the president, will play a fundamental role in the reconstruction of Venezuela’s oil sector.
“They’re going to rebuild the entire oil infrastructure. They’re going to spend at least $100 billion and the oil they have is unbelievable, unbelievable quality and quantity,” he said.
