Machado says Venezuela

Maria Corina Machadoleader of Venezuela’s opposition party, said the interim president Delcy Rodriguez She is “perhaps even more ruthless” than her predecessor Nicolás Maduro.

“Everyone in Venezuela and abroad knows perfectly well who she is and the role she has played” in the country’s oppressive regime, Machado said in an interview with Tony Dokoupil broadcast Tuesday night on the “News Evening News.”

Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in as interim president on Monday after Maduro was captured and taken to the United States. The Venezuelan army has expressed their support for Rodríguez, 56 years old.

Machado, who has been in hiding since the Venezuelan war disputed 2024 electionemerging only for claim the Nobel Peace Prize In December, he criticized those who believe Rodríguez should lead the country. He described Rodríguez as one of the architects of the brutal Maduro regime and leader of torture sites in Venezuela. Former hostage negotiator Roger Carstens said “60 minutes” that the Maduro regime had held and tortured Americans who had been arrested in Venezuela for minor crimes.

Rodríguez was sanctioned during Trump’s first term for her role in helping the Maduro regime “maintain power and solidify its authoritarian rule.” She has not been accused of any criminal charges in the United States for his role in the Maduro government.

Machado said he believes the United States has “instructed (Rodriguez) to take certain actions regarding further dismantling of the criminal structure as a path toward a complete transition to democracy in Venezuela.” But Machado said that “no one trusts her,” which may complicate her new role as the country’s president.

Machado alleged that Rodríguez had been “the main link” in communications with Russia and Iran as well as “other countries that have… criminal activities” in Venezuela.

Despite the tumultuous circumstances, Machado said he still has faith in the Venezuelan people.

Watch more of María Corina Machado’s interview with Tony Dokoupil on tonight’s “News Evening News” at 6:30 pm ET.