José Enrique Arrioja on ABC about the State of Venezuela Post-Maduro
José Enrique Arrioja on ABC about the State of Venezuela Post-Maduro
Delcy Rodríguez is trying "to stretch this moment and this coexistence with the U.S.," said the managing editor of Americas Quarterly to the network.
In an interview with ABC News, José Enrique Arrioja, managing editor of Americas Quarterly and senior policy director at Americas Society/Council of the Americas, spoke with correspondent Victor Oquendo about the current situation in Venezuela, weeks after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela's current leader, Delcy Rodríguez, still argues that Maduro is the legitimate leader of the country. However, she has initiated some significant changes, most notably the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States and cooperation with the Trump administration.
"The overall political and economic system in there will try to survive as much as possible. They want to try to stretch this moment and this coexistence with the [United States], as far as they can going forward," said Arrioja.
The expert explained that although there have been changes in the country, political oppression and a lack of freedom of speech remain. "People are still afraid to speak out loud, to raise their voice, and start demanding for the necessary improvements, not only in political freedom, but also in the economic part of the daily life," said Arrioja.
The conversation then turned to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Arrioja noted that she remains a "widely popular political leader," adding that "it's difficult to predict when she eventually will return to the country," especially as President Donald Trump has advised her not to return due to security concerns.
