María Corina Machado, awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and a leading figure of the Venezuelan opposition, has voiced her discontent with Washington for excluding her from political negotiations taking place this week in Caracas. These discussions involve the government of Delcy Rodríguez and a faction of the opposition, as reported in an interview published Thursday by The New York Times.
Currently residing in exile in Panama after clandestinely leaving Venezuela in December 2025, Machado expressed that the Trump administration has sidelined her from the process while engaging with other interlocutors.
The U.S. State Department refuted her claims, stating that Machado's party, Vente Venezuela, was indeed invited to participate in the negotiations. "María Corina is free to return to her country whenever she wishes," the institution stated, as reported by EFE.
Institutional vs. Personal Participation
The underlying tension stems from the distinction between the institutional participation of her party and Machado's personal inclusion at the negotiation table.
Machado has been excluded from the dialogue mechanism since its inception because she is not a member of the 2015 National Assembly, the institutional framework chosen by Washington for these talks.
Progress Amidst Controversy
The third round of discussions commenced on October 14, with Jorge Rodríguez leading the Chavista delegation and Dinorah Figuera representing the opposition linked to that Assembly.
These talks have yielded tangible results: the second round, held in September, resulted in the release of 39 political prisoners, and the U.S. lifted sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez on the very day this new phase began.
In her interview with the Times, Machado publicly criticized Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt for the first time. Betancourt reached a lucrative deal with the Trump administration to control about 21% of the country's oil reserves through his company NABEP.
Corruption Allegations and Economic Interests
Machado accused Betancourt of being responsible for "obscene corruption," asserting that she would not consider him a viable business partner if she were to gain power.
She also blamed him as "one of the main culprits for the suffering endured by our people," referencing Venezuela's electrical collapse.
An independent energy auditor cited in the New York Times report suggested that Betancourt amassed part of his wealth through no-bid contracts for power plants with alleged overpricing to Venezuelan state entities.
Trump praised the agreement with Betancourt last August as "the largest oil deal in history." Analysts and critics interpret this pact as an indication that Washington prioritizes economic interests over the democratic transition Machado advocates for.
Machado has faced at least seven unsuccessful attempts to return to Venezuela, including flight blockades from Panama in September. Despite these challenges, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly asserted that the ultimate goal of U.S. policy is a democratic transition in the country.
The opposition leader vowed in the interview to return to Venezuela "sooner than expected" to rally her supporters for future elections.
Understanding the Venezuela Political Situation
Why is María Corina Machado excluded from the Venezuela talks?
Machado is excluded because she is not part of the 2015 National Assembly, which is the institutional framework chosen by Washington for these negotiations.
What has been achieved in the Venezuela talks so far?
The talks have led to concrete outcomes, such as the release of 39 political prisoners in September and the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez.
What is Alejandro Betancourt's role in the current situation?
Betancourt is involved in a major oil deal with the Trump administration, controlling a significant portion of Venezuela's oil reserves. He is accused by Machado of corruption and contributing to Venezuela's energy crisis.