In Venezuela, Which Leader Will Trump Choose?

Last week, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House and presented President Donald J. Trump with her hard-earned Nobel Peace Prize medal, as a “sign of brotherhood between the U.S. and Venezuela.” It was a touching gesture, and for the moment, Trump was pleased: “María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

Although Machado left with no guarantees of support, the visit highlighted her political smarts. Not presenting Trump a list of demands, a la Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his contentious Oval Office meeting last February, ensured a positive outcome. Still, Trump remains cool to a democratic transition.

MA

About the Author

Michael J. Ard

Michael J. Ard directs the Intelligence Analysis master’s program at Johns Hopkins University and is the former deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Western Hemisphere.

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Last week, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House and presented President Donald J. Trump with her hard-earned Nobel Peace Prize medal, as a “sign of brotherhood between the U.S. and Venezuela.” It was a touching gesture, and for the moment, Trump was pleased: “María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

Although Machado left with no guarantees of support, the visit highlighted her political smarts. Not presenting Trump a list of demands, a la Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his contentious Oval Office meeting last February, ensured a positive outcome. Still, Trump remains cool to a democratic transition.

MA

About the Author

Michael J. Ard

Michael J. Ard directs the Intelligence Analysis master’s program at Johns Hopkins University and is the former deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Western Hemisphere.