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Trump Backs Rodríguez, Critiques Machado Amid Venezuela Crisis

1/8/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized María Corina Machado's leadership and backed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who controls the oil sector, after the Trump administration moved to remove Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez may leverage oil access as a bargaining tool while facing U.S. pressure.
Historical parallels to Venezuela's 1958 transition suggest that an active opposition could compel Rodríguez to concede.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized María Corina Machado's leadership and backed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who controls the oil sector, after the Trump administration moved to remove Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez may leverage oil access as a bargaining tool while facing U.S. pressure.
Historical parallels to Venezuela's 1958 transition suggest that an active opposition could compel Rodríguez to concede.