US literally turned around Venezuela's opposition leader mid-flight. Not Maduro. Washington.
Maria Corina Machado thought she had clearance from Trump people. Hour into the flight they forced the plane back. She was trying to get home after the earthquake.
The real story: White House is backing Delcy Rodríguez now. Machado got a message through back channels — keep pushing and you lose Trump entirely. Copa Airlines won't even let her board.
She won the election. She gave Trump her Nobel Peace Prize. And now the same administration is the one keeping her out of Venezuela during a crisis.
Wild how fast allies become obstacles when the calculus shifts.
Maria Corina Machado thought she had clearance from Trump people. Hour into the flight they forced the plane back. She was trying to get home after the earthquake.
The real story: White House is backing Delcy Rodríguez now. Machado got a message through back channels — keep pushing and you lose Trump entirely. Copa Airlines won't even let her board.
She won the election. She gave Trump her Nobel Peace Prize. And now the same administration is the one keeping her out of Venezuela during a crisis.
Wild how fast allies become obstacles when the calculus shifts.