Trump says he did not ask María Corina Machado to stay out of Venezuela

Aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump denied asking María Corina Machado not to travel to Venezuela after the earthquakes, NTN24 and RPP reported. "She is incredible. She is a wonderful person. I didn't tell her not to go," he said, according to RPP, which noted that Copa refused to fly her from Panama.

David Placeres said Machado is already preparing a third attempt to enter and that her team believes the obstacles come from lower-ranking officials, not Trump. Patricia Poleo read it the other way: she said Trump has chosen to deal with Delcy Rodríguez and Diosdado Cabello.

«I have no problem with María Corina Machado entering the country.»— Donald Trump (quoted by David Placeres), July 9, 2026 · watch

«Obviously neither Diosdado nor Delcy Rodríguez has the people's support, but Donald Trump has preferred to deal with them»— Patricia Poleo, July 8, 2026 · watch