On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump defended his decision to form a temporary alliance with Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela. He emphasized that his goal is to prevent the country from descending into the chaos seen in Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein.
"Remember there's a place called Iraq where everyone was dismissed—every single person, the police, the generals—and they ended up becoming ISIS. I recall that," Trump stated in response to a journalist questioning why Washington has chosen to work with Rodríguez instead of María Corina Machado.
The president explained that his administration aims for a "controlled, stable, and effective" transition in Venezuela following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier in January.
"If you remove everyone at once, you dismantle the security structure and create a vacuum that could be filled by much worse forces. We want to avoid another Iraq," he asserted. Trump also mentioned that Machado is a good woman.
The White House has reiterated that Rodríguez has met "all U.S. demands and requests" since assuming power, which includes energy agreements and security commitments.
According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president "is pleased with Venezuela's cooperation and hopes it continues."
Trump described Rodríguez as "a fantastic person," though he emphasized that Washington's support is strategic and conditional.
"She is doing what needs to be done. If she complies, there will be no military deployment. If not, we will make different decisions," the president stated.
Trump's comments came just a day after his meeting with María Corina Machado at the White House.
The Venezuelan opposition leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, has declared her readiness to take over the government alongside Edmundo González Urrutia "when the time is right."
"We have a mandate from the Venezuelan people. We are preparing to take the government when our moment comes," Machado stated during her appearance at The Heritage Foundation in Washington. She described the country's situation as "difficult and challenging, but historic."
Machado also criticized Rodríguez, accusing her of "following orders" from Washington and representing "only a temporary phase of the transition."
"The Venezuelan people are the missing piece in this process. We represent that legitimacy," the opposition leader said.
Key Questions on the U.S.-Venezuela Relations
Why did Trump choose to ally temporarily with Delcy Rodríguez?
Trump aimed to prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos similar to what happened in Iraq by maintaining a controlled and stable transition.
What are the conditions of the U.S. support for Delcy Rodríguez?
The support is strategic and conditional, contingent on Rodríguez's compliance with U.S. demands, including energy and security commitments.
How did María Corina Machado respond to Trump’s alliance with Rodríguez?
Machado criticized Rodríguez as only a temporary phase of the transition and emphasized the legitimacy of the Venezuelan people in the process.