Trump signals preference for Delcy Rodríguez as oil partner over opposition leader

President Trump this week signalled a preference for Delcy Rodríguez, a sanctioned ally of Nicolás Maduro whom he praised after a conversation, over María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who visited Washington and presented Mr. Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Rodríguez, who has U.S. sanctions for undermining democracy, has "been extremely cooperative" and agreed to share Venezuela’s oil with the United States. Mr. Trump described Rodríguez as "a terrific person" after what he called a "great conversation." Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, told Mr.

Trump she was ready to move quickly toward a transition to democracy and raised human-rights abuses she says occurred under Maduro and Rodríguez. In Caracas, Rodríguez delivered a State of the Union address that criticised the United States, saying "There is a stain on our relations" and asserting Venezuela would confront the U.S.

diplomatically. The Times reported signs of cooperation in the background: Rodríguez’s government has opened oil to U.S. interests, released more than 80 political prisoners and begun exploring reopening its embassy in Washington, even as hundreds of political dissidents remain imprisoned and Venezuelans report increased repression.

Key Topics

World, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela, Donald Trump, María Corina Machado, Nicolás Maduro