A classified CIA report given to US President Donald Trump found that top Maduro loyalists, including Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, were most likely to keep Venezuela stable if President Nicolas Maduro was ousted. This information comes from two sources familiar with the matter, who spoke anonymously on Monday.
Their statements confirm an exclusive story by the Wall Street Journal. According to the sources, Trump saw the assessment and only a handful of top national security officials had access to it.
The report reportedly influenced Trump’s decision to support Delcy Rodriguez—Maduro’s vice president—over opposition leader María Corina Machado, according to the sources. The White House, however, didn’t confirm the details of the report.
“President Trump is regularly briefed on political situations around the world. He and his national security team are making decisions to help Venezuela match US interests and improve life for Venezuelans,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in response to questions.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado declared on Monday that she is ready to return to her country “as soon as possible,” sharply criticising the newly appointed interim president in Caracas.
Machado spoke publicly for the first time since her recent social media post—her comments come after the US military removed Maduro from power. Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity from a secret location, the Nobel Peace Prize nominee renewed her commitment to Venezuela.
“I’m planning to return to Venezuela as soon as possible,” Machado said.
Machado also blasted interim president Delcy Rodriguez, calling her “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and drug trafficking.” Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, has signaled a willingness to work with Washington.
Machado claimed that Rodriguez is “rejected” by most Venezuelans, saying public support is with the opposition.
“In free and fair elections, we’ll win more than 90% of the vote—I’m sure of it,” she said.
She promised to transform Venezuela into the “energy hub of the Americas,” dismantle what she called “criminal structures,” and help bring back millions of Venezuelans forced into exile.
