Opposition leader seeks to maintain influence in Washington amid the president’s praise of Delcy Rodríguez and the first sale of seized Venezuelan oil
The president received this Thursday (15), privately, the Venezuelan opposition leader, who is fighting to maintain a direct line with the White House given the consolidation of dialogue between Washington and Caracas.
Machado arrived at the White House complex shortly before 12:30 pm (2:30 pm Brasília time). Dressed in a white suit, she got out of a car, without making any statements, and was escorted to the private lunch.
The Award winner did not use the traditional entrance for dignitaries in the West Wing of the White House.
The Trump administration maintained a discreet tone regarding this meeting, after Trump said last week that it would be “an honor” to receive Machado, and even more so about the idea of “sharing” in some way the Nobel Peace Prize, which he sought and which ended up going to the Venezuelan leader.
Machado dedicated the Nobel Prize to Trump and then floated the idea of awarding the prize to him, something that the Norwegian Academy clarified was not possible.
First sale of Venezuelan oil
Trump caused an earthquake inside and outside the country when he launched an offensive to detain and transfer the now deposed president and his wife, accused of drug trafficking, to the country.
The operation was initially received with euphoria by the opposition. But Trump soon threw cold water on it by declaring that Machado was a “very nice person”, but that he did not see her as the country’s leader.
With Maduro’s replacement, he had, on Wednesday, a “long” telephone conversation, about oil, minerals, trade or security, the president revealed. Rodríguez is a “formidable” leader, Trump assured.
The Venezuelan interim president, in turn, explained that the conversation was “productive and cordial”, in “a framework of mutual respect”.
The United States is quickly forming a private relationship with Caracas, a regime that it officially continues to consider “narco-terrorist”, which does not impede business.
Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, waves after a press conference at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on Wednesday (14)
This Thursday, an official on condition of anonymity confirmed a first sale of seized Venezuelan oil, worth US$500 million (R$2.7 billion). This money will go into accounts controlled directly by the Treasury Department.
Trump “protects” the American continent “against narco-terrorists, drug traffickers and foreign adversaries who seek to take advantage,” declared a White House spokeswoman.
True to its bite-and-blow policy, the Trump administration also announced the seizure, in the Caribbean, of a sixth oil tanker subject to sanctions.
For their oil plans, Trump and his Secretary of State, , hope to count on the collaboration of multinationals, who, however, ask that the legal and political framework be clarified.
Support despite everything
Machado left Venezuela in December, after almost a year in hiding, thanks to logistical support from the United States. After receiving the Nobel Prize in Oslo, she maintained a discreet schedule, with occasional contacts, such as a meeting with the Pope in Rome.
Despite the setbacks, Machado maintains an optimistic tone. “The defeat of evil” in Venezuela “is closer”, he assured in Rome.
After his meeting with Trump, Machado will go to the Senate, where he will meet with Democratic and Republican parliamentarians.
*With information from AFP
Published by Nícolas Robert
