Venezuela’s opposition leader welcomes US intervention

The opposition leader of Venezuela – and Nobel Peace Prize winner – Maria Corina Machado has welcomed the US intervention, saying the country’s “hour of freedom” has arrived.

She said on social media that President Maduro was removed from power after refusing a negotiated exit, and the opposition’s candidate for the 2024 elections – Edmundo Gonzalez – should now “assume” the presidency.

She added the opposition would restore order in the country and free political prisoners.

Such a transition is certainly what the US wants. But it may not be as simple as the opposition claim.

Maduro still has allies in the country, many of whom may not want to go without a fight if they fear repercussions themselves.

Even some fierce critics of Maduro are uncomfortable with US intervention, fear this could lead to further destabilisation, and have not supported Machado’s close alliance with the Trump administration.

But, some critics see this as a final resort to get rid of what they believe was an authoritarian and oppressive regime. (BBC)