• Maria Corina Machado declares intention to lead Venezuela after Maduro's ousting.
• She criticizes interim president Delcy Rodriguez as untrustworthy and part of the previous regime.
• Machado aligns her stance with U.S. policy while addressing Trump’s skepticism about her leadership.
• The political future in Venezuela remains uncertain amidst competing authority claims.
• Machado emphasizes public support for her movement and readiness to govern.

In the wake of Nicolás Maduro's removal by U.S. forces, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has publicly asserted her claim to lead the country. She stated, "the people of Venezuela have already chosen" who should govern, positioning her coalition as the legitimate choice following Maduro's ousting. Machado declared, "Absolutely yes," when asked if she should take on national leadership, indicating her movement's preparedness to serve the Venezuelan populace, according to India Times and CBS News.

Machado criticized the interim president Delcy Rodriguez as "nothing like a moderate," emphasizing that "nobody trusts her" given her ties to the former Maduro regime. Rodriguez has assumed executive authority amidst ongoing rival claims for power, which Machado asserts undermines Venezuelan interests. She contended that Rodriguez is one of the "main architects of repression," echoing sentiments described in BBC and AA.

Additionally, Machado has aligned herself with recent U.S. actions and praised President Donald Trump for his leadership in the operation that led to Maduro's arrest. However, she also acknowledged Trump's skepticism regarding her leadership prospects, stating, "She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect," and refuted this assertion by expressing that her coalition has a strong mandate to lead. She thanked Trump for his "leadership and courage" in bringing about a potential transition to democracy, as covered by CBS News and BBC.

The future of Venezuela's leadership remains fraught with uncertainties, as Machado's return to Venezuela and formal leadership role is not assured. Her party, backing Edmundo Gonzalez as the candidate for the next elections, has not secured full recognition due to the previous government's vote manipulation accusations. Machado reinforced her commitment to serving the Venezuelan people, expressing belief in a unified country ready for a smooth transition to democracy, according to AA and CBS News.