Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader in Venezuela. [Yonhap News]

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader and presumptive Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2025, is expected to take over from ousted President Nicolas Maduro.

The New York Post reported on Saturday (the 3rd), citing Venezuelan experts, that Machado and fellow Nobel laureate Edmundo Gonzalez are projected to lead a transitional government in the South American nation.

"They have the support of 70% of the Venezuelan people," said Jorge Jraissati, president of the Economic Inclusion Group, in an interview with Fox News Digital. "They will lead the transition."

The United States recognized Gonzalez as the legitimate leader of Venezuela after he defeated Maduro by a margin of more than 2-to-1 in the 2024 election. Gonzalez ran in place of Machado, who was banned from running by the Supreme Court, which is controlled by the Maduro regime. Maduro ignored the election results and maintained power.

Machado has not yet commented on the arrest of former President Maduro by U.S. forces, but in a previous interview with Fox News Digital last month, she stated, "I am absolutely grateful for every gesture, every signal, every moment that President Donald Trump has stood with the Venezuelan people."

"I have watched it very carefully, and I know very well what it means for those who are fighting to regain democracy and freedom in our country," she added.

She also said that the 26-year dictatorship in Venezuela has ended and that she is ready to take over the government.

Venezuela is currently led by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, a close associate of President Maduro, and the Minister of Defense has announced a fight to the end against the United States.

Meanwhile, thousands of citizens took to the streets of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, from early Saturday morning, cheering the news of Maduro's arrest.

Numerous videos shared on social media, including on X, show the Venezuelan people celebrating Maduro's arrest.

In a phone interview with Fox News, when asked, "What do you think will happen to the Venezuelan people going forward?" President Trump replied, "We are making that decision now," adding, "We can't leave it to somebody else and have them pick up where he left off."

This suggests a deep involvement in Venezuela's regime change.

U.S. NNP=Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent for this paper NNP info@newsandpost.com