María Corina Machado Accuses U.S. Oil Partner of Corruption

Exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado accused businessman Alejandro Betancourt of obscene corruption after he secured a deal with the Trump administration to control approximately 20% of Venezuela's oil reserves. Machado stated that Betancourt would not be a viable business partner if she were to take power, though she noted that contracts complying with Venezuelan law would be respected.

The criticism emerges amid strained relations between Machado and the United States government. While the U.S. has appointed Delcy Rodríguez to lead Venezuela in January, reports indicate U.S. officials discouraged Dutch authorities from allowing Machado to land in Curaçao. A State Department spokeswoman denied that the U.S. facilitates the return of opposition figures, but Machado maintains that the administration ultimately desires democracy in the country.

Despite these tensions, Machado vowed to return to Venezuela sooner than expected to rally supporters for a future election. She continues to assert that Venezuela will be free, even as the U.S. manages the country's finances and transition following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.