María Corina Machado has cast the U.S. military intervention that led to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a decisive historical rupture rather than a tactical event. Speaking to Fox News after appearing publicly for the first time since the operation, Machado argued that January 3 would be remembered as “the day justice defeated tyranny.” The framing places U.S. force at the center of Venezuela’s political reset and underscores how the opposition leader is anchoring her legitimacy in external intervention rather than negotiated transition.

Machado described the events of January 3 as a turning point “not only for the Venezuelan people and our future, but for humanity, freedom, and human dignity.” Her remarks followed reports of explosions and aircraft sounds around 02:00 local time in Caracas, after which Venezuelan authorities accused the United States of attacking civilian and military sites. U.S. President Donald Trump later said a large-scale operation had removed Maduro and his wife from the country.

“Justice Defeated Tyranny”

In her Fox News interview, Machado outlined an ambitious geopolitical realignment. “We will turn Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas,” she said, adding, “We will open markets,” and “We will turn Venezuela into the main ally of the United States in Latin America.” The emphasis on energy, markets, and alliance-building signals a sharp departure from Venezuela’s existing foreign policy orientation and reflects an effort to reassure foreign investors following years of sanctions and isolation.

Machado also said, “I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” presenting herself as ready to reenter domestic politics after years abroad. She argued that millions of Venezuelans who left the country would return under an opposition-led government that guarantees investment protection and stability.

Power Struggle and Accusations

The opposition leader sharply criticized figures associated with the existing state apparatus. “Delcy Rodríguez is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narco-trafficking,” Machado said, adding that Rodríguez “is a main ally of Russia, China, and Iran — certainly someone who cannot be trusted by international investors.” She also claimed overwhelming popular support, stating, “We won an election by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win up to 90% of the votes.”

These assertions coincide with U.S. legal action. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face charges in the United States including drug terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Venezuela’s government called on the international community to condemn the U.S. action, prompting mixed reactions abroad.

Nobel Prize Politics

Machado’s praise for Trump extended beyond Venezuela policy. She said she believes Trump still deserves a Nobel Peace Prize and noted that she dedicated the award she received in October 2025 to him. “It hasn’t happened yet, but I certainly would love to,” Machado said when asked whether she would give the prize to Trump. U.S. media have claimed that Trump’s distance from Machado stemmed from her accepting the prize herself rather than transferring it.

Machado’s Nobel award drew criticism due to her outspoken support for Israel since October 2023. After receiving the prize, she called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on decisions taken during the Gaza campaign, which the source text says resulted in more than 67,000 Palestinian deaths.