Trump administration actions since the January 2026 U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro have centered on stabilization and recovery through cooperation with interim leadership, including Delcy Rodríguez, rather than elevating opposition figures. President Trump has publicly described María Corina Machado as lacking the domestic support or respect needed to lead, while advising against her return to Venezuela amid security and political concerns and characterizing related efforts as disruptive. Machado has reiterated alignment with the administration’s phased roadmap, offered her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, and reaffirmed support for U.S. priorities, yet these steps have not altered the preference for pragmatic diplomacy and resource ties over a direct endorsement. With no scheduled elections confirmed for 2026 and ongoing focus on institutional rebuilding, traders see limited basis for a Trump endorsement of Machado as Venezuelan president by year-end.