Washington, D.C. — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met discreetly with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, in a high-level but low-profile encounter that underscores the growing international debate over the future of Venezuela and the role the United States may play in accelerating political change.

The meeting, held without press access and outside the usual protocol for heads of state, took place amid intense diplomatic maneuvering over Venezuela’s political transition, the release of political prisoners, and the future of the country’s vast oil reserves.

After leaving the lunch meeting, Machado briefly addressed supporters waiting nearby, delivering a clear political message:

“We count on the president for Venezuela’s freedom.”

A strategic meeting amid shifting U.S. policy

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Machado’s team moved quickly to secure the meeting in an effort to persuade the U.S. administration that increasing pressure for a regime change aligns with Washington’s strategic and democratic interests.

One of Machado’s main objectives is to prevent Vice President Delcy Rodríguez from becoming the U.S. government’s primary interlocutor on Venezuela’s future, particularly regarding energy policy and oil production. While members of Trump’s team have publicly acknowledged Rodríguez’s cooperation — stating that she has “met all U.S. demands” — the opposition leader is pushing for a harder line focused on democratic transition and accountability.

Lobbying for political prisoners and democratic transition

If a full shift in U.S. policy proves unattainable, Machado is also lobbying for stronger pressure on Caracas to secure the release of thousands of political prisoners, a key demand of Venezuela’s opposition and international human rights organizations.

The meeting reflects Machado’s broader diplomatic strategy to consolidate international backing at a moment of uncertainty and internal fragmentation within the Venezuelan opposition, as global powers reassess their engagement with Caracas.

A discreet encounter with symbolic weight

While the White House has not released an official statement detailing the contents of the meeting, the symbolic significance of Trump receiving Machado — even privately — has resonated strongly among Venezuelan opposition supporters and the broader Latin American political landscape.

Analysts note that Washington’s next steps will be closely watched, particularly as energy security, regional stability and democratic governance converge once again at the center of U.S.–Venezuela relations.