A Venezuelan opposition figure has criticized the Trump administration’s approach to the country, alleging a contradiction in its strategy and questioning whether the current policies are inadvertently legitimizing the Nicolás Maduro government.
Pedro Mario Burelli, an economist and supporter of opposition leader María Corina Machado, voiced his concerns regarding a recent agreement involving Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president, and the release of political prisoners. Burelli contends that Washington is tolerating the continued power of Rodríguez and remnants of the Chavismo movement, despite a costly effort to remove Maduro from power.
“I believe that stability is built piece by piece and on solid ground. Without creating or allowing conditions that give support, strength, to what you wish to replace. It wouldn’t develop sense,” Burelli stated. He further argued that believing Rodríguez’s claim that maintaining 500 political prisoners prevents destabilization is akin to telling the prisoners’ families that they remain incarcerated due to negotiations, and that those prisoners are now the responsibility of Donald Trump and Marco Rubio.
Burelli expressed dismay with the actions of President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio, stating that they are allowing Rodríguez and those associated with the Chavismo regime to maintain control. He described the agreement reached with Rodríguez as “hasty” and “disconnected” from the expectations of Venezuelans following what he characterized as a successful military operation.
“To believe that maintaining 500 political prisoners avoids destabilization is to notify the families of those prisoners that they remain imprisoned because of a negotiation, that those prisoners belong to Donald Trump and Marco Rubio. The Americans should feel like partners or accomplices of torturers,” Burelli said.
The criticism highlights growing tensions within the Venezuelan opposition regarding the effectiveness and ethical implications of the U.S. Strategy in the country. The situation underscores the complexities of navigating political negotiations while addressing human rights concerns.
