Following the recent US intervention that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has asserted that she should "absolutely" be in charge of the country. In an interview with CBS, she expressed her preparedness to lead and serve the Venezuelan people. Machado praised US President Donald Trump for his actions but criticized the appointment of interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, claiming that she lacked the trust of both Venezuelans and global observers.

Machado's assertion comes after her opposition movement claimed victory in the contentious 2024 elections, although Trump cast doubt on her credibility as Maduro's successor. Despite this, she remained grateful to Trump for ousting Maduro, citing the military action as a critical step towards restoring democracy in Venezuela. She highlighted Rodríguez's prior role under Maduro as problematic, stating that many recognize her as a key figure in the regime's oppressive actions.

With tensions escalating, Rodríguez's inauguration has further complicated the power struggle, as she emphatically rejected claims of US control over Venezuela, affirming the Venezuelan government's autonomy. This situation illustrates the ongoing political complexity in Venezuela and the challenges of transition amid conflicting narratives and leadership claims.