RT.com
08 Feb 2026, 11:56 GMT+10
The White House has reportedly accused Maria Corina Machado of undermining national security goals
White House officials have grown "frustrated" with anti-Maduro Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado over her remarks on the timing of elections in Venezuela, Politico reported on Friday, citing sources.
Earlier this week, Machado, an opposition leader who backed the US intervention in Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, told Politico that voting could be implemented fairly quickly, suggesting nine to ten months as a possible timeframe.
According to a White House adviser who spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity, Machado's comments "rubbed some people the wrong way," with the official accusing her of "undermining the president's policy success," including the release of political prisoners, joint law-enforcement operations between the two countries, and other areas of cooperation.
"All Maria Corina Machado does is try to negate all of this... she's selfish," the adviser said. "None of this is 'Operation Maria Corina Machado.' It's 'Operation US national security,' which is not tied to her in any way. She's a spoiler and she's working against US national security goals."
Another person close to the White House said the former congresswoman "shouldn't be opining on a time frame," adding that "[24] months is a more realistic time frame."
In a statement to Politico, the White House stressed that elections cannot happen "overnight" and would be held "at the right time," adding that US President Donald Trump's top priority is rebuilding the country before an election takes place.
Machado's office dismissed the criticism as "media noise" and rumors, insisting that the opposition is "closely aligned" with the US government "in our approach."
Trump previously questioned Machado's suitability for office, saying she "doesn't have the support or the respect within the country."
Machado, a former congresswoman with longstanding ties to Washington who has led anti-government protests, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December for what the committee described as her struggle for a peaceful democratic transition. She later gifted the medal to Trump, though the Nobel Committee has insisted that the prize "cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others."
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of South America Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South America Times.
More InformationPERTH, Western Australia: A 13-year-old boy swam for four hours to get help off the coast of Western Australia in cold and choppy waters...
FORT PIERCE, Florida: A man who attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course on September...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: One of America's most influential newspapers is undergoing a dramatic contraction, as The Washington Post began layoffs...
NEW DELHI, India: British aviation regulators are seeking answers from Air India after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed London despite...
FBI Director Kash Patel's announcement on January 23 regarding the arrest of Canadian drug trafficker Ryan Wedding in Mexico led to...
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a British lawmaker, were sentenced...
FBI Director Kash Patel's announcement on January 23 regarding the arrest of Canadian drug trafficker Ryan Wedding in Mexico led to...
HONG KONG: From factory floors to street markets, governments and businesses across Latin America are scrambling to respond to a surge...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico's sweeping ban on electronic cigarettes is reshaping the country's vape market, driving legal sellers underground...
(Photo credit: Nick Oza/The Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC) Sentinels and Disguised each won their Round 3 mid matches...
The White House has reportedly accused Maria Corina Machado of undermining national security goals White House officials have grown...
(Photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images) Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered 20 aces while posting a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1...
