In Qatar-mediated talks, Machado was not part of US plan for post-Maduro Venezuela, Qatari source says

Qatari Source Claims US Post-Maduro Plan Excluded Machado, Despite Her Support

In Qatar mediated talks Machado was not – Before the US executed a January raid targeting former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the country and the United States engaged in Qatar-facilitated discussions about Venezuela’s potential future should the leader step down. According to a Qatari source, these talks did not include a role for Maria Corina Machado, the prominent opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, even though she had been a vocal advocate for US involvement in the country’s political crisis. The source told CNN that neither American nor Venezuelan officials considered Machado as a key figure in the transition process, despite her active role in pushing for the overthrow of Maduro’s regime.

The January 3 operation, which led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, was a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape. Yet, the plans for what came next were shaped without Machado’s inclusion, the source emphasized. This omission, they noted, was surprising given her longstanding support for US intervention and her sharp critique of Maduro’s leadership. The negotiations, held under Qatar’s mediation, were focused on potential power shifts and the broader implications of Maduro’s removal, but Machado was absent from the framework proposed by the US.

Following the raid, US President Donald Trump addressed the situation during a press briefing, stating that he did not believe Machado had sufficient backing within Venezuela to lead a post-Maduro government. “She doesn’t have the support needed,” Trump said, according to the source. However, shortly after this remark, Machado made a personal visit to the White House, presenting her Nobel Prize medal to Trump as a symbol of her commitment to the cause. Despite this gesture, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later reaffirmed that Trump’s stance on Machado’s leadership potential had not changed.

“She’s a leader with an out-of-this-world support, and she’s got the support from almost every Venezuelan,” said David Smolansky, Machado’s adviser, at the time. This statement highlighted the contrast between the US’s internal assessment and the widespread backing Machado reportedly enjoyed among Venezuelans.

Instead of Machado, the Trump administration opted for Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency. Rodríguez, a staunch Maduro ally, had maintained contact with the US through Doha, the source revealed. Her frequent visits to Qatar in 2024, including meetings with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, underscored her role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Qatar, acting as a mediator, had sought to bridge the gap between Washington and Caracas, with earlier discussions during the Biden administration focusing on prisoner exchanges and the release of detained Americans.

After Maduro’s capture, Venezuela publicly acknowledged Qatar’s assistance in securing proof of life and maintaining communication channels between the two sides. The Qatari source also disclosed that the US had established a temporary bank account in Doha, where profits from Venezuelan oil sales were initially deposited. However, this account was later closed, signaling a shift in financial strategies or a reduction in US reliance on Qatar’s infrastructure.

Qatar was not informed beforehand about the specifics of the January 3 operation, which saw Maduro and his wife detained by US forces. The raid, executed without prior coordination with Doha, marked a significant departure from earlier collaborative efforts. Since their arrest, Maduro and Flores have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting trial on charges of drug trafficking and weapons possession. Both have pleaded not guilty, and the legal proceedings have progressed at a slow pace, with the US government allowing the Venezuelan government to cover the couple’s defense costs after a weeks-long delay.

The Qatari source described the nation’s role as a neutral mediator, tasked with facilitating dialogue between the US and Venezuela. This positioning came under pressure as the January raid disrupted traditional channels, forcing Doha to adapt its approach. Despite this, the country continued to act as a key player in the transition process, leveraging its diplomatic influence to support both sides. The temporary bank account, while a small but symbolic gesture, reflected the US’s desire to maintain economic control over Venezuela’s resources even as political power shifted.

CNN has sought comments from the White House regarding the claims made by the Qatari source. The administration’s decision to exclude Machado from the transition plan has sparked debate about the inclusion of opposition figures in Venezuela’s future governance. While the US prioritized a more immediate solution through the raid, the long-term stability of the country may depend on broader consensus among its political factions. The Qatari source suggested that the temporary account and other financial mechanisms were part of a strategy to ensure the US retained leverage in the post-Maduro era.

Qatar’s mediation, though crucial, has not fully aligned with the US’s strategic goals. The country’s involvement in prisoner exchanges and oil-related transactions highlights its dual role as both a diplomatic bridge and an economic partner. As the legal case against Maduro unfolds, the question remains whether the US’s approach will lead to a lasting solution or further fragmentation of Venezuela’s political landscape. The exclusion of Machado from the transition plan, despite her prominence, raises concerns about the inclusivity of the new government and the influence of external powers on Venezuela’s internal affairs.

The ongoing situation in Venezuela reflects a complex interplay of domestic and international actors. While the US has taken decisive action to remove Maduro from power, the long-term vision for the country’s governance remains contested. The Qatari source’s revelations add another layer to this debate, suggesting that the US’s plan for the post-Maduro era was more narrowly defined than previously thought. As the nation moves forward, the balance between external intervention and internal leadership will be critical in determining its path toward recovery and stability.