U.S. Lawmakers Voice Support for Venezuela’s Machado
The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted unanimously to endorse Machado following private discussions with her on Capitol Hill, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
Machado, a onetime legislator who cultivated Washington relationships for decades, previously spearheaded anti-government demonstrations and labeled Maduro's retention of power during 2024's vote as "illegally" obtained. Venezuelan officials disqualified her from public service, charging she championed external economic penalties and advocated for American armed forces involvement.
Texas Representative Michael McCaul declared Machado possessed "all the right stuff" for Venezuela's presidency, media stated.
"Now, the next step, obviously: free and fair elections," McCaul, who formerly chaired the panel, remarked, noting, "We look forward to working with her."
Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Florida Republican, indicated Washington would assume an active position during Venezuela's upcoming electoral process, pointing to the "huge" implications for a nation he characterized as located "in our backyard."
Machado has fully supported American intervention in Venezuela and Maduro's seizure in early January.
Last December, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for what organizers described as her fight for a "just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy." Machado presented the honor to Trump last month.
Machado has argued the "escalation" in Venezuela represented the sole method to compel Maduro to recognize "it's time to go," while insisting it constituted "not regime change" but rather enforcing "the will of the Venezuelan people."
Trump has repeatedly questioned Machado's capacity to succeed Maduro as leader of the petroleum-abundant Latin American state, asserting after the US military operation that she "doesn't have the support or the respect within the country."
Russia has condemned American military action in Venezuela as breaching international law and reaffirmed backing for the South American nation's sovereignty.
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