Maria Corina Machado recently appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo to discuss the severe drug crisis and pervasive corruption in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro. The interview highlights Machado’s unwavering stance against the Maduro regime, which she identifies as a central actor in international drug trafficking.
The segment begins with a clip of former President Trump issuing a stark warning to drug cartels. “President Trump with a stern warning to the drug cartels during a round table meeting with the Homeland Security taskforce on Thursday,” Bartiromo noted. This sets the tone for the discussion, framing the urgency of combating drug trafficking as a national concern.
Bartiromo elaborated on military measures being taken to address this issue, explaining that “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Gerald Ford and its strike group to the waters off of South America.” This deployment underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. intends to confront the drug cartels. Such direct military involvement emphasizes the lengths the government is willing to go to protect its borders and citizens from drug-related violence.
When asked about Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking, Machado didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely. Everybody knows Maduro is the head of the biggest cartel, drug cartel, Cartel of the Sons, also the head of the Tren de Aragua,” she said. This direct accusation paints Maduro not just as a political figure but as the orchestrator of a vast criminal network, highlighting a severe link between governance and crime in Venezuela.
Bartiromo pressed further about Trump’s strategy of destroying boats suspected of carrying drugs before they reach the U.S. “Do you agree with President Trump’s tactic to just blow up these boats as they approach America?” she asked. Machado responded with a powerful endorsement of aggressive action. “The only way to dismantle a criminal structure is to cut their inflows of criminal money,” she asserted, emphasizing the need to sever the financial sources that fuel narcotics trafficking, gold smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking.
Machado’s words carry weight, showcasing a clear understanding of the complexities involved in dismantling drug cartels. She described the dual challenges posed by Maduro’s actions: “He has applied state terrorism inside towards our people and narco-terrorism abroad to the nations of the western hemisphere,” she stated. This distinction between domestic oppression and international crime underlines the broad implications of Maduro’s regime.
Significantly, Machado framed the current situation in Venezuela as a war initiated by Maduro. “Maduro is the one who started the war. President Trump is stopping the war, ending the war,” she argued, suggesting that the U.S. is now in a position to shift the balance in this ongoing conflict. This perspective positions Machado as an advocate for both Venezuelan sovereignty and the broader fight against drug proliferation.
As the conversation progressed, Bartiromo inquired about Machado’s safety, given her opposition to the regime. “Of course I fear for my life. I’ve been accused of terrorism,” she responded candidly. Her acknowledgment of the personal risks involved in her activism exemplifies the high stakes faced by those opposing authoritarian rule in Venezuela.
Machado’s conclusion was firm: “What we need to do is keep going, putting more pressure on Maduro.” Here, she emphasized the importance of sustained international support for Venezuela’s opposition, aligning herself with the idea of popular sovereignty. “The regime change was already mandated by our people as I said, with a landslide victory last year,” she asserted, reminding viewers of the legitimate claims to governance that the opposition holds.
This interview serves as a critical reminder of the intersection between politics and crime in Venezuela. Machado’s insights shed light on the systemic issues faced by the country and the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to dismantle the criminal infrastructures that have taken root under Maduro’s rule.
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