The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado argued that Venezuela must move towards an open, transparent, and competitive market economy, in contrast to the model that she claimed is being promoted by Delcy Rodríguez's regime, which she accused of "establishing a system of mafias without transparency or accountability."
During an interview for Colombian media disseminated by the Official Spokesperson of Venezuela, Machado drew a “very clear line of division” between what he considers a democratic vision for the country and the management of chavismo. “We propose an open, transparent, and competitive market economy,” he stated, before adding: “What are they trying to establish? When you see those monstrosities coming out of there, that is the closest thing to a Russian-style transition. That’s how they constitute a mechanism of mafias, without transparency, without accountability, without due compliance with the Constitution, without guarantees for all actors, starting with the Venezuelans.”
Machado explained that his proposal is based on a principle of genuine openness, grounded in respect for legality and the creation of a framework of trust that encourages investment and development. In that regard, he stated that he believes in a process of privatization, but one that includes clear and transparent rules. “Of course, I believe in a process of privatization, but one in which the rules are completely clear, fully aligned with and respectful of the Constitution, benefiting both Venezuelans and international actors,” he affirmed.
Additionally, he shared that he has been in talks with directors of major companies in the United States, interested in investing in the country, although—he emphasized—everyone agrees on the same demand: the restoration of the rule of law. “I have been doing this for many years and much more in recent days, with CEOs, chairmans, directors of the largest companies in this country, in the United States, not just in energy, but in many other sectors. And they all say the same thing: we need the rule of law, we need clear regulations.”
Machado added that entrepreneurs have conveyed a common message to him: investment will only be possible in an environment where there is trust and mutual respect. “One of the things they tell me is: we want to invest in a country where the people want us.”
The opposition leader also questioned the legality of the measures announced by the interim president Delcy Rodríguez and stated that the repressive apparatus "continues to support the regime." In her opinion, the attempts at openness driven by Chavismo do not reflect a genuine change, but rather a forced dynamic to maintain power. "These people are being compelled to carry out processes that go against their essence," she asserted. She added that "everything that upholds what remains of Maduro's regime is repression. When repression falls, they fall."
Machado criticized the lack of results regarding releases and recalled that "there are one hundred seventy-one military personnel" still imprisoned. "One thing is the genuine dismantling of the repressive apparatus, for which you don't even need laws; it's simply a matter of saying: the doors are open. Those processes did not exist. The process was completely and utterly invalid and a violation of human rights and the Constitution," he stated.
Machado's statements come just a few days after her virtual participation in the Hay Festival of Cartagena de Indias, where she asserted that Venezuela can finance its own economic reconstruction. “We can finance and address the costs involved in reconstruction,” she said at the time, and emphasized that the country's liberation requires “decisive action with the enforcement of the law,” which includes cutting off “the flows of illegal criminal funds.”
Machado described the capture of Nicolás Maduro as “a milestone” and “a turning point in the history of Venezuela,” and expressed his hope that “the more than 700 prisoners who still remain in torture centers will soon be with their families.”
The statements come at a time of political transition following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3rd. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined a three-phase plan — stabilization, economic recovery, and democratic transition — to guide the country's institutional reconstruction, as explained by the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States in Venezuela, Laura Dogu, during a meeting with Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez in Caracas.
On his part, President Donald Trump has proposed to “bring together chavismo and the opposition” to promote national reconciliation and stated that Venezuela “needs to fix itself now,” according to his declaration aboard Air Force One.
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