It’s been a busy day for Venezuelan opposition chief María Corina Machado and appearing president Delcy Rodríguez, each of whom say they symbolize their nation on the world stage.
• Machado goes to Washington: The opposition chief informed reporters Thursday that she had “presented” US President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal as a present throughout an “extraordinary” assembly at the White House. Trump has lengthy coveted the prize, however the committee that awards it has been clear that it cannot be shared or transferred. “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot,” it mentioned in a post on X.
• Historic or not?: After her assembly with Trump, Machado informed US lawmakers that the assembly with the president was “historic, not only for the future of Venezuela, but for the future of freedom in the world.” However, Trump has beforehand indicated he doesn’t assume Machado has sufficient respect inside Venezuela to manipulate – and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Thursday that he had not modified his view.
• Rodríguez requires a “diplomatic battle” with the US: Meanwhile, in Caracas, Rodríguez gave Venezuela’s equal to the State of the Union tackle, telling lawmakers that Venezuela ought to have interaction in a “diplomatic battle” with the United States to defend its sovereignty. “All of Venezuela is being threatened,” Rodríguez mentioned, “and that is why I call for national unity so that, with sovereignty foremost, we wage the diplomatic battle.”
• Rodríguez criticizes the US with out mentioning Trump: During her speech, Rodríguez talked about a “criminal economic blockade,” an “economic war,” a “naval blockade aimed at encircling the country as an energy exporter,” and an “armed aggression by a nuclear power unlike anything that has ever occurred in history.” However, she didn’t as soon as straight point out the president of that nuclear energy, Donald Trump.
• A attainable go to to Washington, “standing up”: Rodríguez subtly opened the door to a visit to the United States, saying that “if one day I have to go to Washington, I will go standing up … never crawling or dragging myself.” She additionally defended sending between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. “Venezuela has the right to have relations with all the countries of the world — and with the United States as well,” Rodríguez mentioned.