State Department calls mixing politics with quake aid "counterproductive" after María Corina Machado's complaint

After María Corina Machado said from Panama that the government is blocking the airspace to keep her from returning, the State Department told NTN24 its priority is humanitarian aid. According to Axios, Trump administration officials called her efforts to return "political opportunism."

Patricia Poleo aired Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's call for Washington to redesignate TPS for Venezuelans, arguing that the law lists earthquakes as grounds.

«Adding sensitive political issues to the situation at this time is counterproductive to our response efforts following this tragedy.»— U.S. State Department (quoted by NTN24), July 2, 2026 · watch

«The administration must do the right thing and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans…»— María Elvira Salazar (quoted by Patricia Poleo), July 4, 2026 · watch