Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Projects Optimism in Washington Amidst Political Turmoil; Immigration Tensions Simmer at Home

Venezuela's Democratic Hope Meets Washington Reality

WASHINGTON — Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado struck a cautiously optimistic tone during a whirlwind visit to the U.S. capital this week, even as the political party she defeated in a nationwide election continues to hold power with the backing of the Trump administration.

Machado's visit comes four weeks after a dramatic U.S. military operation captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Since then, Washington has maintained pressure through targeted strikes and sanctions, part of a broader strategy to dismantle the remnants of the socialist government. U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas yesterday to oversee the efforts, but calls for releasing political prisoners and establishing a clear transition to elected leadership grow louder.

"I do not think that the pressure is being taken away," Machado told moderator Margaret Brennan in an exclusive Face the Nation interview. "Important steps are being taken... the message has been delivered."

Her optimism, however, is tempered by on-the-ground realities. While Maduro is in custody, his ally Delcy Rodríguez acts as president, and hundreds of political prisoners remain detained. Machado, who was barred from running in the last election, led her party to a landslide victory with candidate Edmundo González—a result recognized by the U.S. but blocked by Maduro's government.

When asked about President Trump's recent comments praising the "current leadership" in Venezuela, Machado focused on her private conversations with the president. "I truly believe he understands the nature of this regime," she said, characterizing Rodríguez as a communist with ties to U.S. adversaries like Russia and Iran, who is cooperating only under duress.

The path forward remains murky. Machado advocates for a secure timeline toward democratic elections but acknowledges no specific dates have been set by the Trump administration. In a symbolic gesture of gratitude, she presented her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump, stating it was "a matter of justice" for his actions.

Domestic Unrest: ICE Tactics Spark Congressional Clash

The broadcast shifted to simmering tensions at home, where a partial government shutdown looms and protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics continue nationwide. The debate centers on the deadly shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents during protests in Minneapolis last week.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed support for a funding package to end the shutdown but was critical of recent ICE operations. "Bovino went in there with these roving patrols. He escalated the situation," McCaul said, referring to former Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, who was reassigned following the incident. "He put his agents in a position they should never have been put in."

McCaul endorsed the appointment of Tom Homan as the new border czar, predicting a return to "targeted law enforcement operations" instead of the broad "roving patrols" that sparked public outcry. He acknowledged, however, that the political fallout risks turning a "winning issue" of removing violent criminals into a liability for the administration.

The legal and human ramifications were highlighted by the case of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, detained with his father in Minneapolis and later ordered released by a federal judge. The administration's claim that the father was a flight risk was not substantiated in court, raising questions about due process and the detention of children.

Economic Outlook and Local Leaders Grapple with Federal Policies

Former Trump economic adviser Gary Cohn provided analysis on the economy, noting strong top-line growth but a concerning affordability crisis for many Americans. He expressed skepticism about some of the administration's proposed consumer relief measures, such as capping credit card rates, which he argued could restrict credit for those who need it most.

Cohn praised President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, calling him "the completely right choice" to navigate potential rate cuts and balance sheet reduction.

The program also featured a bipartisan panel of mayors—Eileen Higgins (D-Miami), Quinton Lucas (D-Kansas City), David Holt (R-Oklahoma City), and Mark Freeman (R-Mesa, Arizona)—who discussed the local impact of federal immigration enforcement. While perspectives varied, a common theme emerged: a plea for competent, humane enforcement that doesn't erode hard-won community trust.

Mayor Higgins delivered an emotional appeal regarding the imminent expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, warning of severe consequences for South Florida's healthcare sector. "Our economy is at stake and our humanity is at stake," she stated.

Viewpoint: Voices from the Public

Carlos Mendez, 58, Political Science Professor, Austin, TX: "Machado's optimism is a necessary political stance, but the structural challenges in Venezuela are monumental. The U.S. intervention has created an opening, but without a coherent plan for democratic restoration and economic stabilization, it risks replacing one form of instability with another."

Anya Petrova, 42, Immigration Attorney, Minneapolis, MN: "What happened here wasn't law enforcement; it was a paramilitary operation in an American city. McCaul's criticism is a start, but Congress must legislate clear guardrails to prevent federal agents from terrorizing our communities. The 'collateral arrest' policy is a constitutional nightmare."

James "Jim" O'Connell, 67, Retired Marine, Tampa, FL: "All this hand-wringing over enforcement tactics is nonsense. We have laws. If you're here illegally, you should be removed—period. The mayors complaining should be thanking ICE for doing the job their sanctuary cities refuse to do. This isn't about 'trust'; it's about sovereignty."

Priya Singh, 35, Small Business Owner, Phoenix, AZ: "The mayors' discussion hit the nail on the head. It's about how things are done. In Mesa, we've found a way to cooperate with federal authorities without turning our streets into a warzone. It requires actual leadership and engagement, not just political posturing from either side."

Margaret Brennan is the moderator of Face the Nation and CBS News' chief foreign affairs correspondent.