Ideal and Instrument — a Contrast That Decides Everything
The Venezuelan crisis has exposed not only the weaknesses of the opposition but also the extreme cynicism of American politics. If one follows the interpretation offered by Der Spiegel, U.S. President Donald Trump has already made an internal decision — and there is no place in it for María Corina Machado.
This is not a question of legitimacy, not a dispute over elections, and not even ideology. It is a question of power, control, and personal attitude. Machado is too loud, too independent, too “moral” a figure for Trump. And more importantly, she allowed herself the luxury of being a symbol rather than a subordinate.
María Corina Machado: Too Clean for a Dirty Deal
María Corina Machado is a Nobel laureate, an icon of resistance to the regime of Nicolás Maduro, a figure who appeals to justice, accountability, and historical responsibility. She has spoken openly about future trials of regime officials, about punishment for corruption and repression.
According to Der Spiegel, this is precisely where Trump’s red line lies. Such a program is incompatible with a “managed transition.” It threatens the elites, the military, and the security services — and therefore threatens the stability on which the United States wants to profit.
Moreover, Machado made a fatal political mistake: she placed herself on equal footing. The Nobel Prize she symbolically associated with Trump was not a gift to him but a reminder — that her moral capital exceeds his own. For a man who views politics as a hierarchy of loyalty, this borders on a personal insult.
Trump and Revenge Disguised as Pragmatism
In Mar-a-Lago, Trump was, as Der Spiegel puts it, demonstratively cold. He called Machado a “nice woman,” but immediately added that she supposedly lacks sufficient support and respect to lead Venezuela. The formula was humiliating — and deeply revealing.
This was not analysis; it was a verdict. In essence, Trump publicly signaled: you were useful as long as you were a symbol. Now you are an obstacle.
In this context, the rejection of Machado appears not merely pragmatic but almost mocking. A man accustomed to unconditional loyalty does not tolerate figures who might claim a historical role of their own.
Machado’s Antipode: Why Rodríguez Is More Convenient
On the opposite pole stands Delcy Rodríguez. Not a hero. Not a symbol. Not an icon. A system insider. According to Der Spiegel, this is precisely what makes her potentially acceptable to Washington — not as an officially recognized president, but as a possible transitional figure with whom business can be done.
Rodríguez does not speak of trials. She knows the apparatus, knows how to negotiate with business interests, and has already overseen limited market reforms under sanctions. She does not threaten the elites — she is part of them. And that is why, as Der Spiegel suggests, her name appears in American calculations.
It is important to emphasize: this is not about recognizing Rodríguez as president or claiming that she “won” an election. It is a hypothesis about whom Trump would consider a convenient partner if he could choose without regard for democratic declarations.
Official Formulas Are One Thing — Real Logic Another
Publicly, Rodríguez rejected any hints of such a scenario, stating that Venezuela has only one president — Nicolás Maduro. Formally, everything remains in place. But as Der Spiegel notes, external rhetoric and Washington’s real expectations may not coincide.
For Trump, oil, investor security, and the absence of chaos matter most. And from this perspective, Machado is dangerous — while Rodríguez is predictable.
The Choice Is Not Between Women, but Between Roles
Ultimately, this is not a story about two women. It is a story about whom Trump is willing to tolerate at his side. Machado — independent, morally strong, and publicly visible — will never be his choice. There is too much in her that cannot be controlled.
And if Der Spiegel is right, that is precisely why she has been written off in American calculations — not because of elections, not because of public support, but because Donald Trump does not forgive those who dare to be more than a convenient instrument.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
All rights to the original text belong to Der Spiegel.
