U.S. President Donald Trump has described the possibility of a presidential election face-off between Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, and opposition leader María Corina Machado as "intriguing," according to reports from the EFE agency.
Trump's remarks were succinct and non-committal. When questioned at the White House on whether he would like to see both political figures contesting for leadership, he simply stated, "Well, that would be interesting." He did not provide any election timeline nor did he formally endorse either candidate.
Diplomatic Dynamics Around Venezuela
This comment comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activities concerning Venezuela. The previous week saw the Trump administration lifting financial sanctions on Jorge Rodríguez—the head of Venezuela's National Assembly and Delcy's brother, who is a key figure in the dialogue with the opposition. This development aligns with the commencement of the third round of negotiations between the Venezuelan government and an opposition faction led by Dinorah Figuera.
The ongoing dialogue, which excludes Machado, addresses the reform of the National Electoral Council, the overhaul of the Supreme Court, and the reconsideration of political disqualifications affecting opposition members. Figuera stated on Tuesday that both parties show "political will" to hold presidential elections, although she indicated that such elections might take place by late 2027 or early 2028, with no official date set yet.
Challenges Facing María Corina Machado
Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, has been residing abroad since her covert departure from Venezuela in December 2025. She has accused the Chavista authorities of obstructing her return. Moreover, she faces a 15-year ban from holding public office, imposed in June 2023, which prevents her from legally running for any position unless the sanction is lifted.
Last week, Machado claimed that she was deliberately excluded from the negotiations by the Trump administration, an allegation that the State Department denied, stating that her party, Vente Venezuela, was invited to participate.
Shifting Relations Between Washington and Caracas
Trump's comments occur within the context of a diplomatic shift between Washington and Caracas. Following the U.S.-led capture of Nicolás Maduro in January, the two governments have reestablished diplomatic relations, which had been severed since 2019. In August, they announced a historic oil deal involving 17 fields and more than 65,000 million barrels of Venezuela's proven reserves.
In September, Trump and Delcy Rodríguez met for the first time in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where the U.S. president remarked that Venezuela is "not ready" to conduct elections yet.
Key Questions About Venezuela's Political Landscape
What did Donald Trump say about the potential elections in Venezuela?
Donald Trump called the idea of a presidential election between Delcy Rodríguez and María Corina Machado "interesting," without committing to any specific plans or endorsements.
Why is María Corina Machado unable to run for public office?
María Corina Machado is barred from holding public office due to a 15-year disqualification imposed in June 2023, which remains in effect unless lifted.
What recent developments have occurred in U.S.-Venezuela relations?
The U.S. and Venezuela have restored diplomatic relations after a break since 2019, and they announced a significant oil agreement involving Venezuela's proven reserves.