Last Saturday night, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines with a surprising phone call to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. This occurred during a private dinner at his Trump National Doral resort in Miami, shortly after a regional summit organized by the White House had concluded.
The gathering was informal, capping off two days of intense political discussions with Latin American leaders. These meetings focused on regional security, migration, and drug trafficking under the auspices of the newly formed Shield of the Americas alliance.
Trump had just returned from an official event at Dover Air Force Base that evening. According to ABC, he dined in Miami with Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and several members of his political team.
As reported by journalist Orlando Avendaño of Voz News, Machado's name came up during the dinner conversation. Known for her significant political influence among the Venezuelan community in South Florida, her mention prompted Trump to spontaneously call her on his phone.
Upon answering, Trump put the call on speakerphone, allowing those at the table to listen. "Everyone here loves you," Trump greeted her, eliciting smiles from the guests. The call was brief and light-hearted, resembling an informal chat rather than a formal diplomatic exchange.
This episode followed a much more reserved meeting at the White House the previous day. On Friday, Trump had hosted Machado for about 90 minutes, alongside his chief of staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the White House meeting, discussions centered on Venezuela's ongoing political transition. Washington is in talks with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, pushing for conditions that include energy cooperation, asset delivery, military collaboration, and the release of political prisoners.
Machado, who has expressed her desire to return to Venezuela after years of political persecution, is actively engaged in international diplomacy. The White House views her as potentially influential in shaping the country's political future, though they emphasize the need for institutional stability before advancing toward credible elections.
Key Questions About Trump's Call to Machado
Why did Donald Trump call María Corina Machado?
Trump called Machado spontaneously during a dinner in Miami after her name came up in conversation. She is a prominent figure among the Venezuelan community in South Florida.
What was the purpose of María Corina Machado's meeting at the White House?
The meeting focused on Venezuela's political transition and included discussions on energy cooperation, asset delivery, military collaboration, and the release of political prisoners.