Geopolitical Economy Report

Trump-backed Venezuelan coup leader promises to give oil to US corporations

Oct 14, 2025
María Corina Machado, a controversial Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, boldly declares her intent to privatize Venezuela's oil for U.S. corporations. In a candid conversation with Donald Trump Jr., she outlines her plans to reshape the country's economy and become a key energy hub. Machado's far-right stance, calls for U.S. military intervention, and connections with influential American politicians highlight her vision of aligning Venezuela with U.S. interests, raising concerns about national sovereignty.
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INSIGHT

Machado As U.S.-Backed Far-Right Operative

  • Ben Norton argues María Corina Machado is a U.S.-funded far-right operative who supports war, not peace.
  • He links her long-term U.S. backing to regime-change aims against Venezuela's revolutionary government.
INSIGHT

Oil Nationalization And U.S. Regime-Change Motive

  • Ben Norton highlights Venezuela's nationalized oil and the U.S. campaign to destabilize that system since Chávez.
  • He connects U.S. support for extremists like Machado to their promise to privatize oil and sell it to U.S. firms.
ANECDOTE

Machado's Interview With Donald Trump Jr.

  • In a Feb 2025 interview with Donald Trump Jr., María Corina Machado openly vowed to privatize Venezuelan industry and invite U.S. investment.
  • She touted Venezuela's resources and declared American companies would “make a lot of money.”
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