Opposition leader María Corina Machado met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department on January 28, 2026, in a charm offensive to shape Venezuela's transformation after Nicolás Maduro's US-captured detention. The visit aligned with Rubio's same-day Senate testimony defending the Trump administration's stabilization strategy.
On January 28, 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the US State Department in Washington to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the Trump administration. Bloomberg described the encounter as part of a charm offensive to regain the narrative on Venezuela's post-Maduro transformation, following the Venezuelan leader's capture in a US military incursion on January 3.
Maduro's ally Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president afterward. The US is engaging with her interim authorities while warning of potential military action if demands—such as eroding Iranian, Chinese, and Russian influence—are unmet, per Reuters.
Machado's meeting coincided with Rubio's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he stressed 'respectful and productive' dialogues with Venezuelan leaders. Rubio noted: 'For the first time in 20 years, we are holding serious conversations to erode and eliminate Iranian presence, Chinese influence, and also Russian presence.' He affirmed no current intent for military action but warned in prepared remarks: 'We are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail.'
The events underscore tensions in US foreign policy, with congressional Democrats like Sen. Chris Coons questioning the Maduro operation's evidence and consultation. Republicans, including chair Jim Risch, supported avoiding 'endless wars.' Republicans recently blocked a resolution limiting Trump's war powers on Venezuela.
This follows recent Senate scrutiny of the administration's Venezuela raid and strategy (see related coverage).
