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Post Trump meeting, Venezuelan opposition leader says country will hold ‘free and fair’ elections ‘eventually’
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After meeting with President Donald Trump, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said Friday that Venezuela will hold «free and fair» elections «eventually» as Nicolás Maduro’s vice president Delcy Rodriguez continues to rule the country after his capture.
Machado did not offer a timeline for how long the current interim government would be allowed to rule, only that elections would happen «as soon as possible.»
«I am profoundly, profoundly confident that we will have an orderly transition.»
Speaking at a news conference hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, Machado said Venezuela is taking «the first steps of a true transition to democracy,» but stressed that dismantling the country’s repression apparatus must come before any credible election can be held.
«We are facing a very complex and delicate process,» Machado said. «Eventually we will have free and fair elections,» she added, while emphasizing that security, rule of law and the release of political prisoners must come first.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said her country will hold new elections «eventually.» (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)
Machado rejected the idea that Venezuela’s constitutional election timelines could be applied immediately, arguing that years of repression have hollowed out democratic institutions. She said hundreds of political prisoners remain unaccounted for and warned that fear and coercion are still widespread inside the country.
«The fact that you are not in a prison doesn’t mean that you are free,» she said, citing restrictions on speech, movement and political organizing.
RUBIO LAYS OUT THREE-PHASE PLAN FOR VENEZUELA AFTER MADURO: ‘NOT JUST WINGING IT’
Her comments come after the Trump administration faces growing scrutiny from critics over the lack of a clear electoral roadmap following the Jan. 3 operation that led to the removal of longtime strongman Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described a three-phase U.S. plan — stabilization, recovery and transition — but acknowledged that the final phase remains undefined.
During her Washington visit, Machado met privately with Trump and praised his role in pressuring Maduro’s government. She said the president told her he cares deeply about the Venezuelan people and their future.
Machado also presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, a symbolic gesture toward a president who has long coveted the award. She described Trump’s actions on Venezuela as courageous and said U.S. support has given Venezuelans renewed hope after years of repression and economic collapse. The Nobel committee said in a statement that a «laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced.»
«The decision is final and applies for all time.»
Despite her praise for Trump, questions remain over Washington’s posture toward Venezuela’s interim leadership. Trump has publicly spoken positively about Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president who is now playing a central role in the transitional government — a stance that has unsettled some opposition supporters.
Machado sought to downplay the appearance of competition between herself and Rodríguez for the U.S. president’s support.
«This has nothing to do with a tension or decision between Delcy Rodríguez and myself,» Machado said when asked about Trump’s openness to working with the interim government. «This is about a criminal structure that is a regime and the mandate of the Venezuelan people.»
Trump has spoken positively about Rodríguez’s role in the transition and suggested he’d be open to meeting with her. On Thursday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe was in Venezuela meeting with Rodríguez.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez addresses the media in Caracas, Venezuela, March 10, 2025. (Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)
Trump recently called Machado a «very fine woman» with whom he has «mutual respect,» after saying Jan. 3 that Machado «doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country» to rule.
Machado called Rodríguezr «a communist» and «the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and the Iranians,» while arguing that Rodríguez «does not represent the Venezuelan people» or the armed forces.
VENEZUELA’S NEW INTERIM LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ ‘HATES THE WEST,’ EX OFFICIAL WARNS
Machado said the current phase of the transition remains unstable, with elements of the former regime still being forced to dismantle systems of repression, including intelligence units and detention centers. Only after those structures are neutralized, she said, can Venezuela begin rebuilding democratic institutions and organizing legitimate elections.
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others in New York City, U.S., January 5, 2026. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
She also stressed that future elections must include Venezuelans living abroad, noting that millions were barred from voting in past contests.
«Every single Venezuelan, living in Venezuela or abroad, should have the right to vote,» Machado said.
Trump has previously questioned whether Machado has sufficient support inside Venezuela to govern, backed by a U.S. CIA report on the matter, a remark she did not directly address during her public remarks. Instead, she framed the transition as a collective effort driven by popular will rather than individual leadership.
«This is not about me,» Machado said. «It is about the will of the Venezuelan people.»
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For now, she said, the priority remains security.
«We understand the urgency,» Machado said. «But without dismantling terror, there can be no real democracy.»
The White House has said the United States intends to play a hands-on role during Venezuela’s transition, arguing it has significant leverage over interim authorities in Caracas. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week the administration believes it has «maximum leverage» over Venezuela’s interim leadership, including influence over economic and security decisions as the transition unfolds.
After the Maduro capture, Trump said the U.S. would essentially run Venezuela. «We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.»
On Machado, Trump initially expressed skepticism. «I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.» A source told Fox News Digital there was concern among senior officials even prior to the Venezuela operation that Machado «lacked the necessary support in Venezuela if Maduro was to be removed.»
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the administration envisions a phased approach to Venezuela’s transition — beginning with stabilization, followed by recovery and then a political transition. Rubio acknowledged that while elections are the end goal, they must come after security conditions improve and democratic institutions are rebuilt.
Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
venezuelan political crisis,nicolas maduro,donald trump,latin america,foreign policy
INTERNACIONAL
Mamdani’s early moves as mayor clash with affordability pledge: ‘Ripple effects are significant’
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ran on a message of making the Big Apple more affordable for everyday Americans, but some of his actions in the first few weeks of his tenure have served to undercut that reality.
In the early days of his time as mayor, Mamdani has already shown a penchant for vehemently defending low-wage, unskilled delivery-app workers in a manner that industry executives and business experts think will hit consumers’ pocketbooks. He sued a delivery app startup earlier this month for allegedly violating the city’s worker-rights laws, and warned the broader range of delivery app companies operating in the city to abide by ramped up worker rights being imposed at the end of the month, or else.
At a press conference announcing the lawsuit and accompanying demand letters issued to delivery app companies warning them to follow the updated worker protections, Mamdani also accused the delivery-app startup, MotoClick, of stealing workers’ tips. Among the reforms Mamdani has signaled he plans to vigorously enforce is a mandated tipping framework that estimates show could push more than half-a-billion in additional costs on consumers annually.
The updated protections will also add more delivery-app companies, such as those that deliver groceries, to the list that must follow the delivery-app worker rights laws, including a mandated minimum wage higher than what some emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in the city make.
‘ZOHRANOMICS’: NYC MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S SOCIALIST MATH DOESN’T ADD UP
Zesty is now in beta in San Francisco and New York as DoorDash tests and refines its personalized matching experience. (iStock)
«We know affordability is not just about the cost of goods — it’s about the dignity of work,» Levine told companies including DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber. «Today’s lawsuit against Motoclick is not just an action against one company, it’s a warning to every app-based company from this Administration. You cannot treat workers like they are expendable and get away with it. We will seek full back pay and damages. We will seek full accountability.»
Mamdani pointed to a recent report put out by his Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Sam Levine, which showed disobeying city mandates going into effect later this month, requiring apps to give the opportunity for customers to tip before or at the same time that an order has been placed, significantly impacts the amount of incoming tip revenue. Levine’s report that Mamdani touted estimates alternative tipping frameworks, such as only allowing tips upon completion of a delivery, have altered tipping revenue by an estimated $550 million per year.
Mamdani also stood by in tacit agreement during the press conference as delivery-app worker advocates called for an increase to their already mandated minimum wage they have that is approximately $4.50 higher for delivery-app drivers than the city’s base minimum wage of $17 per hour. The workers said they wanted a mandate that they get paid $35 per hour, to which Mamdani replied: «closed mouths don’t get fed.»
Mamdani campaigned on raising the base minimum wage to $30 per hour for all New Yorkers by 2030.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a press conference defending worker rights for delivery-app drivers on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, his eager enforcement to protect delivery-app drivers will include making sure a wider breadth of delivery-app companies, such as those who deliver groceries like InstaCart and Shipt, abide by New York City’s extended minimum wage laws for their workers – plus the other mandates related to the tipping structure and more.
DCWP has indicated plans to set a minimum pay rate for all delivery apps by early 2027.
HOURS AFTER TAKING OFFICE, NYC MAYOR MAMDANI TARGETS LANDLORDS, MOVES TO INTERVENE IN PRIVATE BANKRUPTCY CASE
«The challenges facing delivery workers, small businesses, and consumers are real, and deeply interconnected. That’s why this issue cannot be reduced to a single policy lever or viewed in isolation,» a spokesperson for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce told Fox News Digital. «Small businesses across the Bronx and throughout New York City are already under extraordinary pressure. When additional costs are layered on without a full economic analysis, those costs are predictably passed down to consumers or absorbed through reduced hours, reduced staffing, or closures. When businesses close, communities lose jobs, services, and economic anchors, and the ripple effects are significant.»
The Chamber of Commerce spokesperson added that Mamdani has an opportunity «to lead by tackling affordability in a holistic way,» which they said would require «comprehensive cost analysis and coordinated solutions that support workers while ensuring the small business ecosystem and consumer affordability are not unintentionally harmed.»
Signage reading ‘Days of a New Era’ is juxtaposed behind New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a press conference he attended about reining in ‘junk fees.’ (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
When reached for comment about the discrepancy between Mamdani’s message of making New York City more affordable for everyone, versus his push to protect delivery-app worker rights that could impact consumer pricing, a New York City Hall spokesperson argued that «the insinuation that putting more money in the pockets of delivery workers undercuts affordability is absurd.»
«Delivery Workers are important members of our city’s economy, and deserve to be paid fairly – anything less is unacceptable,» the spokesperson added. «As Mayor Mamdani continues to stand up for everyday New Yorkers and actualize his ambitious agenda to make New York City truly livable for families. Affordability has been, and will continue to be, a guiding light.»
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But DoorDash’s head of public policy for North America, John Horton, said that ensuring delivery-app workers «earn double what many first responders in the city make» is not a policy solution they believe will make New York City more affordable. Currently, a local fire technician and emergency medical services union in the city is in the midst of a public awareness campaign to raise their wages because they make less than delivery-app drivers at $18.94 per hour.
Delivery-app workers in New York City must be paid $21.44 per hour according to local worker protection mandates. (iStock)
«A thriving New York will take a partnership between elected officials, the business community and workers to ensure we are all working in the best interests of New Yorkers in the midst of the city’s affordability crisis,» Horton added.
Fox News Digital followed up with Mamdani’s campaign to inquire about the complaint that EMS and some firemen in the city are making less than delivery-app workers, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
zohran mamdani,new york city,state and local,business regulation,small business under siege,politics
INTERNACIONAL
Trump says Iran called ‘numerous’ times to make deal as carrier enters Middle East waters
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President Donald Trump said Iran appears to be looking to negotiate with the U.S. amid a growing military buildup in the Middle East.
In a Monday interview with Axios, Trump suggested that Tehran had reached out on «numerous occasions» and «want[s] to make a deal.»
«They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,» the president told the outlet.
According to U.S. officials, also cited by Axios, any potential agreement would need Tehran to remove all enriched uranium, cap its long-range missile stockpile, a change in support for regional proxy forces, and cease independent uranium enrichment, terms Iranian leaders have not agreed to.
ISRAELI UN AMBASSADOR SENDS STARK WARNING TO IRAN AMID GROWING UNREST
The USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the Middle East amid tensions with Iran. (M. Jeremie Yoder/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)
Trump also described the situation with Iran as «in flux,» and pointed to the arrival of what he called «a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,» referencing the recent deployment of U.S. naval assets.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier entered CENTCOM waters in the Indian Ocean on Monday amid increasing threats from Iran, a senior U.S. official said.
«We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens,» Trump said of Iran. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images; Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump had told reporters Jan. 21, «We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens. We have a big force going towards Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.»
The U.S. military buildup comes amid widespread unrest inside Iran following protests that began Dec. 28.
SECRET SERVICE AWARE AFTER IRANIAN STATE TV AIRS TRUMP THREAT FEATURING PHOTO OF BUTLER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
The confirmed death toll amid mass protests in Iran has reportedly reached 5,848, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
According to a recent report from Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the confirmed death toll from the protests has reached 5,848, with an additional 17,091 deaths under investigation.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been sheltering in a fortified underground facility, according to Iran International.
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Trump is expected to hold further consultations this week, Axios said, before adding that White House officials said an attack is still on the table.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
iran,donald trump,middle east foreign policy,white house,ali khamenei,national security,defense
INTERNACIONAL
Trump y Netanyahu dijeron que la siguiente etapa del acuerdo de paz en Gaza se centra en el desarme total de Hamas
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y el primer ministro de Israel, Benjamín Netanyahu, coincidieron este lunes en que el desarme del grupo terrorista Hamas es la prioridad en la nueva fase del alto el fuego en Gaza, luego de la recuperación de los restos Ran Gvili, el último rehén israelí en manos de la organización extremista.
“Ahora necesitamos desarmar a Hamas, como prometieron”, afirmó el mandatario estadounidense, al referirse a la segunda fase del plan de alto el fuego impulsado por Washington. Sus declaraciones llegaron horas después de que el Ejército israelí confirmara la localización e identificación de los restos de Gvili.
Trump también se refirió al proceso que permitió recuperar el cuerpo del suboficial israelí y destacó la cooperación en esa instancia.
“Trabajaron muy duro para devolver el cuerpo. Estaban trabajando con Israel en ello. Se pueden imaginar lo difícil que fue”, dijo, al describir las tareas de búsqueda e identificación, que calificó como “muy difíciles”.
Según el mandatario republicano, la noticia fue transmitida primero por su enviado especial, Steve Witkoff, y por Jared Kushner, antes de comunicársela a Netanyahu.
“Esto es más grande de lo que la gente cree. Más allá de la familia Gvili y de la gente en Israel, nadie creía que lograríamos traer de vuelta a todos los rehenes. Fue un gran momento”, señaló Trump.
La portavoz de la Casa Blanca, Karoline Leavitt, calificó el retorno de los restos como “un enorme logro en materia de política exterior” y sostuvo que Trump “hizo posible lo imposible” al cerrar el capítulo de los rehenes.
Netanyahu, por su parte, compareció ante el Parlamento israelí para dejar clara la postura del gobierno.
“Estamos al comienzo de la siguiente etapa. ¿Cuál es la siguiente etapa? El desarme de Hamas y la desmilitarización de la Franja de Gaza. No se trata de la reconstrucción, sino de desarmar a Hamas y lograr la desmilitarización”, aseguró el primer ministro.
Netanyahu remarcó que Israel no tiene interés en retrasar este proceso y que “cuanto antes desarmemos a Hamas y desmilitaricemos Gaza, más pronto alcanzaremos los objetivos de la guerra”.
La operación que condujo al hallazgo de los restos de Gvili se llevó a cabo en un cementerio musulmán en Gaza, en una zona controlada por el ejército israelí. Desde la entrada en vigor del alto el fuego el 10 de octubre, los acuerdos alcanzados bajo el liderazgo de Estados Unidos contemplaban la devolución de todos los capturados vivos y la entrega de los restos de quienes murieron en cautiverio.
La Casa Blanca también informó que una veintena de países se sumaron en los últimos días a la Junta de Paz, el organismo internacional liderado por Trump para supervisar el cese de hostilidades en Gaza y promover la resolución de conflictos en la región. Este foro busca garantizar el cumplimiento de los compromisos asumidos por las partes y verificar la aplicación de las tres fases del acuerdo.
Hamas, por su parte, ha expresado su disposición a transferir la administración civil de Gaza a un comité de tecnócratas palestinos, paso que forma parte de la segunda fase del plan de paz. Sin embargo, el grupo islamista ha reclamado, a través de una carta enviada a los mediadores, que antes de discutir la entrega de armas Israel debe cumplir con obligaciones pendientes de la primera etapa.
Entre las demandas figuran la apertura del paso de Rafah, la entrega de viviendas prefabricadas, el ingreso de ayuda humanitaria y maquinaria, así como el respeto estricto al alto el fuego por parte de las fuerzas israelíes.
El proceso de desarme será supervisado por la Junta de Paz y, según el acuerdo, debe completarse antes de dar inicio a la reconstrucción y al establecimiento de un nuevo gobierno en Gaza. La administración Trump sostiene que la desmilitarización es el paso indispensable para evitar un nuevo ciclo de violencia y consolidar una paz duradera en la región.
(Con información de EFE)
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