Juan Barreto claims Donald Trump has reduced María Corina Machado's influence

Former Caracas Metropolitan Mayor Juan Barreto has made controversial claims regarding the political standing of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Speaking at a conference organized by the Center for Studies for Socialist Democracy (CEDES), Barreto asserted that Donald Trump has "reduced" Machado to her "lowest common denominator," making her a manageable figure rather than an uncontrollable force.

Barreto alleged that Machado's leadership is degrading and claimed her popularity has declined by at least 13 points since January 4, placing her current support at approximately 28%. He further characterized her recent attempts to engage with the U.S. administration, such as her efforts regarding a Nobel Prize, as ineffective in strengthening her position.