Two leaders in a conflict to become the new ruler of Venezuela, as Trump is inciting

Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado and interim president Delcy Rodriguez.

The fight between two influential women over the next leadership of Venezuela, which is in turmoil due to political and economic crisis, is now in its final stages. On one side is opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, and on the other side is interim president Delcy Rodriguez, a representative of the ruling camp. However, this fight is not only about domestic power, but also about US President Donald Trump.

Venezuelan politics has taken a new turn since the controversially elected president of 2024, Nicolas Maduro, was recently arrested in a US special operation. Machado has been active in demanding the restoration of democracy for a long time, but has been in hiding most of the time due to security risks. On the other hand, Delcy Rodriguez, who is close to Maduro, is now serving as interim president.

Trump has become the biggest influencer in this political equation. He has praised Rodriguez in recent phone calls as a “great person.” In contrast, he has been reluctant to publicly endorse Machado, even though he has strong supporters within the U.S. administration.

Machado is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Thursday. Analysts say the meeting could be his biggest chance to win Trump over. But for Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has expressed his desire to receive the prize himself, the reverse could be problematic.

Delcy Rodriguez, on the other hand, is pursuing a difficult dual strategy. On the one hand, she has publicly condemned the U.S. military operation and the kidnapping of Maduro, while on the other hand, she has offered cooperation with Washington. She is seeking to retain U.S. support by offering to release U.S. prisoners, offer oil exports, and signal the restoration of diplomatic relations.

Analysts say the US decision will ultimately determine who sits at the center of power in Venezuela. But the big question now is how long this delicate balance will last.

CNN News.