President Donald Trump's administration has publicly toughened its criticism against Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, whom US officials accuse of trying to take political advantage of the crisis caused by the earthquakes that left thousands of victims in Venezuela.

According to a report published by Axios, senior officials from the White House and the State Department described Machado's repeated efforts to return to Venezuelan territory in the midst of the humanitarian emergency as “grotesque political opportunism,” considering that his actions could complicate aid efforts and increase political tension in the South American country.

According to the American media, several officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed their dissatisfaction because the opposition leader's insistence has generated confusion within the State Department at a time when Washington maintains support for rescue operations and aid distribution as a priority.

One of the cited officials stated that Machado seeks to gain political prominence through her participation in humanitarian work, while another maintained that the leader's intention would be to appear publicly during the delivery of aid financed by the United States.

Washington prioritizes humanitarian aid

The differences between both parties would have intensified after Machado informed US officials of his intention to become directly involved in the response to the emergency caused by the earthquakes registered on June 24. According to Axios, the Trump administration rejected that possibility and also ruled out providing special security guarantees to facilitate their entry into Venezuela.

US officials argued that any operation related to Machado's return could be interpreted as political support from Washington, at a particularly delicate moment for the country, where authorities continue to care for thousands of victims.

Tension increased after two failed attempts by the opponent to travel to Venezuela. The first occurred when a private flight bound for Curacao returned after a confusion over the official position of the United States regarding its transfer. Later, Machado also failed to board a commercial flight from Panama City to Caracas, according to reports initially cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Differences persist over Venezuela's political future

The report indicates that Washington's official policy continues to be neutral regarding Machado's personal decision to return to Venezuela, although officials acknowledge that his efforts have caused internal difficulties in clearly communicating the US position.

In a message spread through social networks, the opposition leader expressed her intention to return to the country to accompany the Venezuelans affected by the tragedy and assured that the authorities seek to prevent both her return and that of other citizens interested in collaborating with aid efforts.

Meanwhile, organizations of Venezuelans exiled in the United States have also questioned the Trump administration's strategy towards Caracas and asked to review the relationship with the current Venezuelan government during the reconstruction stage after the earthquakes.

The humanitarian emergency continues to worsen as rescue and assistance tasks progress. US officials consulted by Axios insisted that the immediate objective must be to care for the victims and prevent the crisis from becoming a new focus of political confrontation in Venezuela.