This reminds me of the dynamic when former NYC mayor Eric Adams was indicted and Trump demanded the charges be dropped: a move so obviously corrupt that several people resigned rather than carry it out, only to be replaced by people who did. There was no ideological alignment to explain it; Adams is a Democrat. The only logic was that Trump prefers compromised leaders he has leverage over.
The same logic applies here. When Trump dismisses Machado as lacking “respect within the country,” he’s obviously not talking about the Venezuelan people who voted for her coalition in a landslide. He’s talking about the military brass, the oil executives, the power brokers who control Venezuelan institutions. Rodríguez has those relationships. Machado threatens them.
Meanwhile, Trump’s support for Delcy Rodríguez contradicts just about every ostensible reason why Maduro was removed.
And notice the degrading position Machado has been forced into: from Nobel laureate and democratic standard-bearer to someone who must publicly praise Trump’s intervention and hope she gets considered for a role in a transition that may never come. Every statement of her gratitude to Trump costs her credibility with Venezuelans who can see what’s actually unfolding against their interests.
Clean democratic transitions empower voters. Negotiated arrangements with compromised holdovers empower whoever brokers the deal.
Machado was "rescued " from Venezuela and is now hesitant to get crossways the rescuer, Trump. A hard place for her to be . She obviously did good for her countrymen ,but, Big Money has a way of usurping any progress that was made by her previous political activities. She ,in my opinion, is what her country needs and I hope that it works out for the better for them in the future. What Trump is doing isn't helping her cause any, at all.
I saw a CNN reporter interview Venezuelans in the streets of Caracas. None would speak and all asked for anonymity. They said they were afraid. Which tells you everything about who is still in power.
The State Department just issued a warning for US citizens to leave Venezuela because the colectivos are setting up check points and are looking for them.
This reminds me of the dynamic when former NYC mayor Eric Adams was indicted and Trump demanded the charges be dropped: a move so obviously corrupt that several people resigned rather than carry it out, only to be replaced by people who did. There was no ideological alignment to explain it; Adams is a Democrat. The only logic was that Trump prefers compromised leaders he has leverage over.
The same logic applies here. When Trump dismisses Machado as lacking “respect within the country,” he’s obviously not talking about the Venezuelan people who voted for her coalition in a landslide. He’s talking about the military brass, the oil executives, the power brokers who control Venezuelan institutions. Rodríguez has those relationships. Machado threatens them.
Meanwhile, Trump’s support for Delcy Rodríguez contradicts just about every ostensible reason why Maduro was removed.
And notice the degrading position Machado has been forced into: from Nobel laureate and democratic standard-bearer to someone who must publicly praise Trump’s intervention and hope she gets considered for a role in a transition that may never come. Every statement of her gratitude to Trump costs her credibility with Venezuelans who can see what’s actually unfolding against their interests.
Clean democratic transitions empower voters. Negotiated arrangements with compromised holdovers empower whoever brokers the deal.
Machado was "rescued " from Venezuela and is now hesitant to get crossways the rescuer, Trump. A hard place for her to be . She obviously did good for her countrymen ,but, Big Money has a way of usurping any progress that was made by her previous political activities. She ,in my opinion, is what her country needs and I hope that it works out for the better for them in the future. What Trump is doing isn't helping her cause any, at all.
Very insightful reporting, Elise. Thanks for the heads up on what is really happening there.
Thanks Clark!
You are welcome .
Your writing and the logic behind it makes for a really good read.
I saw a CNN reporter interview Venezuelans in the streets of Caracas. None would speak and all asked for anonymity. They said they were afraid. Which tells you everything about who is still in power.
The State Department just issued a warning for US citizens to leave Venezuela because the colectivos are setting up check points and are looking for them.
Thank you Elise! You answered some of my questions and confirmed some of my concerns.