Overview
- María Corina Machado held a private, off-camera lunch with President Trump at the White House, her first in-person meeting since the U.S. operation that led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
- The visit followed Trump’s lengthy call with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, which both sides described as productive and respectful.
- White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s assessment of Machado’s limited domestic backing remains unchanged and praised Rodríguez as extremely cooperative.
- Washington is tightening control over Venezuelan oil flows, highlighting an agreement to manage up to 50 million barrels and continued seizures of sanctioned tankers reported Thursday.
- Caracas has begun releasing detainees, including some U.S. citizens, though rights groups report far fewer releases than the 400 claimed by Venezuelan officials; Machado also planned meetings with U.S. senators later in the day.