Machado issues warning on Maduro successor as Trump admin handles Venezuela transition plan

By Fox News · Fox News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Friday issued a warning to the Trump administration that interim Venezuela President Delcy Rodríguez does not represent the views of the people. "I want to insist on this: Delcy Rodriguez, yes, she’s a communist. She’s the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and the Iranians , but that’s not the Venezuelan people and that’s not the armed forces, as well," Machado said while addressing a crowd at an event organized by the Heritage Foundation. Machado said that the situation was complex as allies of Nicolás Maduro continued to do "dirty work" after his capture by the U.S. on Jan. 3. However, the opposition leader said that she is "profoundly confident" that there will be an orderly transition of power. "This is a complex place we are right now. Some of the dirty work is being done by them, but then the result of a stable transition will be a proud Venezuela, who is going to be the best ally the United States has ever had in the Americas," she said. VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER MARÍA CORINA MACHADO PRESENTS NOBEL MEDAL TO TRUMP DESPITE INSTITUTE BAN The opposition leader's comments came amid reports that CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Rodriguez in Caracas. Ratcliffe and Rodriguez reportedly discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and the need to ensure that Venezuela would no longer be a "safe haven for America's adversaries." MARCO RUBIO EMERGES AS KEY TRUMP POWER PLAYER AFTER VENEZUELA OPERATION On Wednesday, Rodriguez, a Maduro ally who served as his vice president, announced that the government would continue the release of political prisoners detained under Maduro in an initiative she touted as a " new political moment ," according to The Associated Press. Just days before Rodriguez made the announcement, the interim government freed at least four U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela, marking the first known release of American prisoners since Maduro was ousted in…