Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters as she leaves the White House following a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on January 15, 2026. [Reuters/Craig Hudson]

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 15th (local time). The White House described the meeting as "positive."

Since the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump has claimed that Machado lacks the support of the oil-rich nation's people and has instead engaged with Maduro’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) stated that he speaks with Machado "quite often," adding that he believes she "will eventually be the president of Venezuela."

According to Politico, Senator Scott noted that a key agenda item for today’s meeting would be for Machado to emphasize her gratitude for the actions President Trump has taken regarding Venezuela.

Following the meeting, Machado, who has campaigned for years to end the leftist Maduro regime, met with cheering supporters outside the White House.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump had been "looking forward" to the lunch meeting with Machado. This marks their first encounter since the dramatic U.S. military operation that led to Maduro’s arrest on January 3.

Leavitt told reporters just before the meeting began, "President Trump expects this to be a very positive and productive conversation with Ms. Machado," describing her as "a remarkable and courageous voice representing the majority of the Venezuelan people."

President Trump added that he would "discuss the situation on the ground and current developments with her."

However, for now, the President continues to support interim leader Rodríguez, especially after Caracas announced it would guarantee the U.S. access to Venezuelan oil.

Leavitt said, "The President is satisfied with how the interim government is performing," adding that while Trump "hopes for elections in Venezuela someday and is working toward that goal," no specific timeline has been provided.

In Congress, Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) pointed out that Rodríguez’s current position is necessary for the time being to prevent "total chaos" in the country. He noted that as long as she maintains control over the Venezuelan military, leveraging her position might be "an easier way to achieve our policy goals" for the Trump administration.

AFP reported that Machado likely sought to bring the issue of a democratic transition of power back to the forefront during her lunch with President Trump.

After a daring escape by boat last month, Machado was awarded a Nobel Prize in Oslo, though she remains in a state of de facto exile rather than returning to Venezuela.

The Venezuelan opposition has presented evidence claiming that President Maduro stole the 2024 election from Edmundo González Urrutia, the candidate from Machado’s party, a claim supported by Washington.

Since Maduro’s arrest, President Trump has stated that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela, but he appears satisfied with Rodríguez remaining in power for the time being.

Following a phone call with Rodríguez on Wednesday the 14th, President Trump referred to her as a "wonderful person." Rodríguez described the call as "productive and respectful," characterized by "mutual respect."

Washington has been focusing heavily on economic demands, particularly regarding access to Venezuelan oil.

On Tuesday the 13th, the U.S. military seized its sixth oil tanker as part of an operation to control oil flowing out of Venezuela.

The U.S. military announced on social media that U.S. Marines and Navy personnel successfully boarded the tanker *Veronica* in the Caribbean during a pre-dawn raid. Video footage was released showing personnel rappelling onto the deck of the vessel.

Meanwhile, a U.S. official announced on Thursday that the first U.S.-brokered sale of Venezuelan crude oil (valued at approximately $500 million) had been finalized, though the buyer was not disclosed.

The Venezuelan government continues to release political prisoners, though critics maintain that many remain incarcerated.

Before the meeting, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump expected the encounter with Machado to be a "good and positive conversation."

Leavitt praised Machado as "a remarkable and courageous voice representing the majority of the Venezuelan people."

However, when asked if President Trump still maintains his position that Machado lacks the necessary support to lead Venezuela, she confirmed that he does.

She stated, "As of now, the President’s view on that matter has not changed," adding later that President Trump did not enter the meeting with specific expectations of Machado.

Earlier this week, Machado met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican; the Pope has also expressed deep concern regarding the situation in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, after concluding her meeting with Trump, Machado visited Congress and told reporters that she had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump.

U.S. NNP = Representative Editor Hong Seong-gu / NNP info@newsandpost.com