Venezuela opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado argued that a successful democratic transition for her country would rapidly transform the nation’s economy and reverse years of instability, reshaping the region\u2019s political landscape.<\/p>\n
Machado told the New York Post<\/u> in an interview that such an outcome would define Trump\u2019s foreign policy legacy, comparing it to the fall of the Berlin Wall.<\/p>\n
‘The legacy to the world is going to be huge,’ she explained. ‘You\u2019re going to have a prosperous Venezuela and the region.\u2026 If you make a comparison in history, this would mean for the Americas as much as the fall of the Berlin Wall had for Europe. It\u2019s equivalent.<\/p>\n
‘For the first time in history, you will have the Americas free of communism, dictatorship and narco-terrorism for the first time,’ she added.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Machado said she intends to return to Venezuela soon to help drive a democratic transition despite the risks she faces under the country\u2019s current government.<\/p>\n
‘I need to be there. I want to go back as soon as possible,’ Machado said.<\/p>\n
Her planned return would come at a pivotal moment for Venezuela, as interim President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez leads a U.S.-backed transition following the removal of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez, a close ally of Maduro, was sworn into office on Jan. 5 after U.S. forces ousted the ex-leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their compound in Caracas during a military operation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The duo were flown to New York and arraigned in federal court on multiple charges to which they pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez has since been working with the White House and has spoken with President Donald Trump by phone.<\/p>\n