JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said that the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Maria Corina Machado, still has the opportunity to be involved in the management of the country in a certain capacity.
"I have to talk to him," Trump said on Friday, January 9, when asked if Machado could still play a role in the Venezuelan government.
"He will probably be involved in some aspects," Trump continued, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik.
Earlier the same day, Trump said he was ready to meet with Machado in the United States next week.
Speaking on a different occasion, at an event at the White House, Trump revealed that Machado was expected to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday.
On January 3, the United States launched a massive attack on Venezuela, arresting President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and then bringing them to New York.
Trump announced that Maduro and Flores would be tried for alleged involvement in "narco-terrorism" and considered a threat, including to the United States.
During a press conference after the US operation in Venezuela, Trump said it would be very difficult for Machado to become the country's leader because he lacks support and respect at home.
A source close to Machado's team told The Washington Post that Machado's colleagues - who secretly left Venezuela in December with US help to attend the Nobel ceremony in Norway - were shocked by Trump's statement.
However, the report said the United States was willing to ensure a soft political transition in Venezuela.
The fact that the US operation only resulted in the arrest of Nicolas Maduro and his wife is said to be proof of this intention.
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