Venezuela’s exiled opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has publicly criticized Alejandro Betancourt, the businessman recently named as a key U.S. oil partner in the country. In an interview conducted last week in Panama, Machado called Betancourt responsible for “obscene corruption” and questioned his suitability as a partner in any future Venezuelan government.
Betancourt, who secured a deal with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump to manage approximately 20 percent of Venezuela’s oil reserves, denied the allegations. He emphasized that he has never faced criminal charges and insisted his contracts with Venezuela’s government were legitimate and fully fulfilled. An independent energy auditor in Venezuela previously accused Betancourt of obtaining no-bid contracts for power plants that involved overbilling, a claim Betancourt refuted, citing a university study that found his company charged less per megawatt than competitors and asserting that contracts were expedited lawfully due to an electricity emergency.
Machado, a former legislator who has led the Venezuelan opposition for the past three years, expressed frustration over being sidelined by the U.S. government, which has instead favored Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s vice president, to lead Venezuela since January. This shift has coincided with Washington’s engagement with figures such as Betancourt, even as Machado has been repeatedly barred from returning to Venezuela amid ongoing political turmoil. A U.S. State Department spokeswoman stated that Machado’s party was invited to participate in current negotiations in Caracas and emphasized that she has the right to return to Venezuela.
The Trump administration official, speaking anonymously, defended Betancourt’s selection, highlighting his successful track record. Meanwhile, Rodríguez’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Machado vowed to eventually return to Venezuela to rally support for a future election and dismissed speculation about her relationship with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. She criticized the current deals involving Venezuelan resources but acknowledged that any contracts compliant with Venezuelan law would be respected under her leadership. She also labeled Betancourt a principal contributor to Venezuela’s ongoing electricity crisis, a claim Betancourt rebutted by pointing to mismanagement and sanctions as key factors.
Regarding Rodríguez’s future prospects, Machado underscored that certain crimes would not be subject to amnesty under Venezuelan and international law. She proposed establishing an independent truth commission to document abuses and provide reparations, followed by trials in ordinary courts with specialized jurisdiction. Machado suggested various possible methods to ensure Rodríguez’s cooperation or departure from power, including the deterrent effect of U.S. legal actions against regime officials.
Machado’s political rise followed her 2024 presidential election campaign, which was marked by widespread protests against Nicolás Maduro’s contested victory, resulting in significant unrest and repression. After going into hiding for over a year within Venezuela, Machado left the country, receiving a Nobel Peace Prize and subsequently endorsing Trump’s efforts to bring stability to Venezuela.
Despite Trump’s deployment of U.S. forces aimed at capturing Maduro and the appointment of Rodríguez as interim president by the U.S. government, Machado reflected on the administration’s three-phase plan for Venezuela’s future—stabilization, economic recovery, and democratic transition—expressing cautious support while reiterating her opposition to Rodríguez’s role.
Machado reported multiple failed attempts to return to Venezuela, including at least two since the June earthquakes, with various obstacles reportedly linked to U.S. and international authorities. Senator Rubio denied that the U.S. had prevented Machado’s entry.
Looking ahead, Machado expressed confidence in Venezuela’s eventual democratic renewal and economic revival, emphasizing the goal of establishing lasting institutions and a stable environment conducive to international investment and regional stability.