Trump announces he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader “next week”

US President Donald Trump said that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will arrive in Washington next week.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked if he planned to meet with Machado in the wake of the US strikes on Venezuela that resulted in the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro.

Trump replied, “Well, as far as I know, she will be coming next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her.”

The White House did not immediately respond when contacted for additional details about the meeting.

This will be the first meeting between Trump and Machado, who said earlier this week that she had not spoken to the US president since winning the Nobel Peace Prize in October.

The future of the South American country’s governance remains questionable.

A few days ago, Trump ruled out the idea of ​​working with Machado and said, “She does not enjoy support or respect within the country.”

Trump told Fox News that it will take time for Venezuela, currently led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, to reach a position where it can hold elections.

He added, “We have to rebuild the country. They cannot hold elections… They will not even know how to hold elections at the present time.”