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Nobel Prize winner Machado says Venezuela is in ‘chaos’ under current regime

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gives a speech during an Anti-government protest on Jan. 9, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela.
Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images
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Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images
Venezuela opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado said in an interview with NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday that her country is in chaos and called for the removal of Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking while still in hiding within Venezuela’s borders, the far-right leader decried Maduro as an illegitimate strongman who had elbowed his way into a third term despite consistent evidence that his administration had rigged the vote.
“I want to be very clear with this: Regime change was already mandated by the Venezuelan people on July 28, 2024,” Machado said during an interview with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe on Saturday, citing last year’s controversial, closely watched election.
“The narrative of the regime right now is that if Maduro goes, chaos will come to Venezuela. That’s absolutely false,” she said. “Venezuela is in profound, total chaos right now.”
Machado – whom Maduro’s regime had barred from running in the race – had backed opposition candidate Edmundo González in the race to steer Venezuela as it suffers through a political and economic crisis that has forced more than one-fifth of its residents to flee the country.
Machado has been one of the staunchest critics of the powerful United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) since it first came to power in the late 1990s. A former legislator in the Venezuelan National Assembly, Machado has been shot at, targeted by federal prosecutors, banned from running for office, and forced into hiding by the government of Maduro, who succeeded PSUV founder Hugo Chávez in 2013.
“We won by a landslide in the presidential election, and we proved it with over 85% of the original tally sheets. The whole world knows that. Even Maduro’s allies know that he was defeated,” Machado said.
Several Latin American countries, alongside the United States, agree that Maduro manipulated the electoral system in order to maintain his grip on Venezuela’s government. The country has been riddled with corruption and, under Maduro’s leadership, seen the country descend into economic collapse and a crackdown on free speech.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has ordered deadly strikes on boats it says were carrying drugs. The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $50 million for information that would lead to Maduro’s arrest.
Machado echoed those claims that Maduro is operating as a cartel head and blamed him for the boat strikes and broader international hostility towards Venezuela.
“[The cartel] are destabilizing, intentionally, the region and undermining the institutions in the United States, because they have turned Venezuela into the safe haven of the enemies of the United States – Iran, China, Russia, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others,” she said.
“So, this is a war that was declared by Maduro, not us.”
When asked if she would support U.S. military invasion of Venezuela to see Maduro deposed, Machado declined to speculate on whether President Trump would authorize such actions, but she called Trump a valuable ally in recognizing the “threat” Maduro presents as a leader.
“You cannot have peace without freedom, and you cannot have freedom without strength,” Machado said.
“When you are facing a criminal structure, they have used violence, all the resources of the Venezuelan people against innocent people. People that are in prison right now that are tortured, persecuted and killed,” she said. “We need to stop this because it is a matter of saving lives and the regime has to understand that impunity is over.”
Machado had dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, whom she has supported and called on directly to help steer Venezuela towards democracy.
When asked whether she did so in the hopes that it would inspire Trump to help force Maduro out, Machado said: “I dedicated it to the people of Venezuela and President Trump because I think it’s the correct thing to do.”
“I think it is fair, not only for what he has been doing in the last months to solve long and painful conflicts around the world, but precisely for what he’s doing right now for the Americas,” she said, adding that, if and when Maduro is ousted, she hoped to see the fall of other repressive regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua as well.

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By Karoun Demirjian, Karen Hanley, June Kim, Gabriel Blanco and Whitney Shefte
October 11, 2025
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Trump spikes tariffs on China: Which countries will be worst affected by US President’s move?

In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump announced on October 10, 2025, that the US would impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective November 1 or sooner if Beijing continues what he described as “aggressive” trade actions.
With this new tariff, the total US tariff on Chinese goods now stands at 130%, marking one of the most aggressive trade measures. The announcement, which coincides with new export controls on critical software, represents one of the most sweeping trade measures.
Speaking on Truth Social, Trump called China’s recent export restrictions a “hostile act” that required a strong response. “It has just been learned that China has taken an extraordinarily aggressive position on trade… effective November 1, 2025, they plan to impose large-scale export controls on virtually every product they make,” he wrote.
The move adds further strain to already tense relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Also Read | What’s next as Donald Trump slaps additional 100% tariff on China? Explained
Both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea later this month.
Days after TikTok talk, ‘no reason to meet Xi’
Trump told reporters there was “no reason to meet” with Xi following China’s “very hostile” trade actions, although he clarified that no formal cancellation had been issued.
This comes even as Trump spoke to Xi just days ago after talks for a trade deal progressed, and the issue of shifting TikTok ownership to US hands was discussed in particular.
What’s the immediate impact of these tariffs?
Analysts warn that the new tariffs could further disrupt global supply chains, particularly in technology, electric vehicle and defense sector, according to a Reuters report.
Economists caution that the 100% tariff could trigger price increases worldwide, given China’s role as a major supplier of industrial and consumer goods.
Disruptions in supply chains for electronics and clean energy products are expected to ripple across Asia, Europe, and the United States, affecting industries and consumers alike.
The immediate impact has been felt across global markets, with U.S. stock indices experiencing significant declines.
Who will feel ripple effect?
Mexico and Canada, as major trading partners of the United States, are expected to bear significant economic costs from the new tariffs.
Other countries in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, are also vulnerable to the ripple effects of the trade war.
Strong trade ties with both the US and China mean that disruptions in supply chains could slow economic growth in these nations, particularly in sectors such as electronics, technology, and manufacturing.
The announcement of the 100% tariff has also triggered heightened volatility in global financial markets.
US stock indices fell sharply, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping nearly 900 points, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Investors are increasingly wary of the possibility of a prolonged trade conflict and its broader impact on global economic stability.
Brighter side for Indian Exports?
Federation of Indian Export Organisations (PTI) President S C Ralhan told PTI that imposition of higher tariffs by the US on China will shift demand towards India, which has exported goods worth USD 86 billion to the US in 2024-25.
“We may gain from this escalation,” Ralhan added.
“Now this 100 per cent additional tariff on Chinese goods will give us an upper edge,” a textile exporter told PTI.
They added that the imposition of higher customs duties by the US on imports from China opens the door for huge export opportunities for India to America.
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National Guard troops begin patrols in Memphis

Members of National Guard patrol outside a Bass Pro Shops on Oct. 10 in Memphis, Tenn.
George Walker IV/AP
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George Walker IV/AP
National Guard troops have begun patrolling in Memphis, the Memphis Police Department confirmed with NPR.
The Guard members are part of a federal task force, established by President Trump, to combat crime in Memphis. The task force includes agents from several federal agencies. It kicked off operations last week.
The Trump administration has previously described Memphis as “suffering from tremendous levels of violent crime that have overwhelmed its local government’s ability to respond effectively.”

A small number of Guard members were already in Memphis for planning and logistics purposes, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said at a city council committee meeting on Tuesday.
As of Friday, it remains unclear how many troops will be deployed and in what locations within Tennessee’s second biggest city.
In Memphis, the Guard is operating under the governor’s command — which is different from how other cities are facing troop deployments. In California, Oregon and Illinois, Guard members were activated by the Trump administration — moves that are now being challenged in court by state and local officials.
While some support the use of federal intervention to curb crime, critics accuse the administration of unfairly targeting Democratic-led cities. Legal experts also worry that Trump’s pattern of imposing or threatening federal intervention in cities is testing the limits of presidential power and the use of military force.
What will troops be doing in Memphis?
Trump has described the anti-crime federal task force in Memphis as being a “replica” of his initiative in Washington, D.C. where troops have been deployed since August, mainly tasked with patrols and beautification efforts.
A presidential memorandum about the task force said the priorities will be to reduce crime, enforce immigration laws, help the local police with recruitment, retention, and training, and coordinate “strict enforcement” against crimes ranging from battery to traffic violations. The memo also indicated that additional Guard personnel from other states can be mobilized if necessary.

The task force includes personnel from 13 U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
At a news conference last month, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said troops will serve in support roles and they will not be responsible for making arrests. He added that Guard forces will remain unarmed unless specifically requested by local law enforcement.
The governor also said the operation will occur in phases over the next few months.
A website launched by the city government said guard members will serve as extra “eyes and ears” to local and federal agencies on the ground.
“Guardsmen and women will be easily identifiable in their standard uniforms that they wear every day. The guardsmen and women will not be wearing masks. Armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission,” the website added.
How are local leaders feeling about the deployment?
Lee has said he not only welcomed federal assistance, but that he has been in “constant communication” with the Trump administration for months about a plan to curb crime in Memphis using federal and state resources.
“I’m tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back,” Lee said Sept. 15 during a visit to the White House. The state’s Republican senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, have also supported the move.
Meanwhile, local leaders have expressed more caution. In his weekly newsletter on Sept. 19, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, voiced skepticism whether the Guard is the “right tool for driving down crime.” However, he said the city could use support in addressing homelessness and “community beautification” referring to efforts to reduce urban blight.

“We’re already investing heavily in this work: grass cutting, litter pickup, and graffiti removal,” he said. “And now, with additional hands and resources, we can scale that work — clearing more vacant lots, removing more trash, and restoring more blocks.”
When it comes to public safety, Young emphasized that Memphis has been moving in the right direction, citing that both homicides and overall crime have declined in recent years. But Memphis has historically grappled with high crime levels, including in 2023 when the city recorded over 340 homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department.
The city is already involved in several joint state and federal task forces, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, ICE and others.
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