Snapshot · The Daily
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, the most popular politician in Venezuela, is in exile with an expired passport and needs US help to return, but the US has labeled her campaign to re-enter as a 'political stunt'.
Where this was said
At 33:14 · chapter starts 31:50
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had publicly articulated a clear three-stage roadmap for Venezuela: first stabilize the economy, then the political system, then enable democratic transition. The earthquake scrambled all three stages simultaneously. With reconstruction now the overriding priority and the US deeply invested in Rodríguez's stability, free elections have been pushed even further over the horizon. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition finds itself in an impossible bind: engaging risks accusations of politicizing tragedy; staying silent cedes ground to their enemies. Most acutely, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado — in exile, without a valid passport, and widely seen as the most popular politician in the country — pleaded publicly for US help to return. Washington's response was to publicly label her effort a political stunt, accusing her of undermining reconstruction efforts.
If the opposition stays silent, the US deepens ties with the government they oppose; if they act, they face accusations of politicizing disaster — leaving them in an impossible position.
Maria Corina Machado, the most popular politician in Venezuela and likely winner of any free election, is stranded in exile with an expired passport. She begged the US for help returning to her earthquake-ravaged country. Washington's response: her campaign to return is a political stunt.
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