Trump Endorses Venezuelan 'Opposition', Forgetting His Own Election Claims
In a move that’s less about Venezuelan democracy and more about American political theater, Donald Trump met with María Corina Machado, a figure championed by the US as the legitimate opposition. What mainstream media often fails to highlight is the significant history of US intervention in Venezuelan elections, from supporting coups to sanctioning their economy. Machado herself has a documented
history of ties to US-backed opposition efforts, details often omitted while simultaneously lambasting 'foreign interference' when it suits domestic narratives. (Imagine if a foreign candidate met with Kari Lake and declared her the rightful leader of Arizona.) The irony is particularly rich given Trump's own consistent cries of 'election interference' and a 'stolen election' regarding his 2020
loss. Apparently, 'election integrity' is a non-negotiable principle at home, but a quaint, optional suggestion when meddling in the electoral processes of sovereign nations the US government dislikes. One might wonder if the concern for Venezuelan voters extends deeply, or just deeply enough to install a preferred government.