Ex-U.S. ambassador to Venezuela makes case for Machado: "Trump needs somebody popular on the ground"

A vocal advocate for María Corina Machado's presidential bid has sparked controversy by arguing that she could be a more effective choice than former President Trump in leading Venezuela. According to Charles Shapiro, the former US ambassador to the country under the George W. Bush administration, it is Machado's popularity among Venezuelans on the ground that would ultimately prove decisive.

Critics of Machado have pointed out her limited experience with military leadership and control over oil resources, both critical components for rebuilding a devastated economy. However, Shapiro disputes these concerns, arguing that Machado's ability to connect with ordinary Venezuelans could provide an unexpected advantage in navigating the country's complex challenges.

While Trump has taken issue with Machado's prospects, Shapiro believes her grassroots support would ultimately give her an edge over his own approach. The US diplomat thinks it is essential for any future leader of Venezuela to have "somebody popular on the ground," rather than solely relying on foreign backing or military intervention.
 
Machado's gotta be a strong contender, you know? 🤔 I mean, Trump's got his whole "America First" thing goin' on, but if someone who actually knows what's gonna resonate with the Venezuelan people is gonna take the helm... that's a game-changer. Shapiro makes some good points about how important it is to have someone with real-world connections. It's like, yeah, Trump's got all this experience, but Machado's gotta be able to get the everyday person on board, you feel? And let's not forget, Venezuela's been through some wild stuff... maybe a fresh face (no pun intended) would actually make a difference in a way that Trump never could. 🤷‍♂️ I'm kinda stoked about this one, actually.
 
I think this argument between Shapiro and critics of Machado makes a lot of sense 🤔. I mean, we all know that Trump's whole thing was about being seen as a strong leader, but in reality, it seems like that just led to more problems for the US and Venezuela alike. Meanwhile, if Machado can tap into the everyday concerns of Venezuelans, she might actually be able to make some real progress on issues like poverty and corruption.

It's also interesting that Shapiro highlights the importance of having a leader who is popular with the people - it's not just about being a skilled politician or military strategist, but about having a connection with the folks who are most affected by the decisions being made.
 
I'm kinda surprised by this Charles Shapiro guy, seems like he's got a point though 🤔. I mean, Machado does seem to have some serious street cred, which could be really valuable in a country with such a deep-seated distrust of outsiders. Trump's been known for stirring up controversy, so it's not entirely out of the blue that he'd take issue with her bid... but at the same time, you've got to wonder if his bombastic approach would even resonate with Venezuelans on the ground. I think Shapiro's got a good point about needing someone who's actually connected to the people, rather than just having all the foreign influence and military might. It's like, Machado might not have all the right qualifications, but she's definitely got more of that "leading by example" vibe going for her 💡
 
can you believe this guy Charles Shapiro is like 50 years old and thinks Maria Corina Machado has a shot at winning? lolol, I mean, he's right that her popularity among Venezuelans matters, but like, doesn't she have experience running a successful opposition party or something? 🙄 anyway, I'm just curious, what makes Shapiro think Machado can handle the military and oil crisis better than Trump did (or didn't do)? seems like a slippery slope to me...
 
I think this argument about Machado being a better choice than Trump is kinda interesting 🤔. I mean, Shapiro's point about her grassroots support being key to rebuilding Venezuela makes sense, but at the same time, it's hard to ignore the experience factor when it comes to managing oil resources and leading a military 👀. Still, if she can connect with people on the ground like Shapiro says, maybe that could be enough to make up for some of her weaknesses 💪. And honestly, I think Machado's popularity is kinda crucial in this situation – all those years of hardship have made Venezuelans desperate for change 😩.
 
Omg can you believe this? I've been following Machado's campaign and I gotta say, Shapiro makes some valid points 🤯! People think she's weak just cuz she's not a mil expert but honestly, being relatable & connecting with Venezuelans on the ground is key 💕. Trump's whole 'foreign backing' thing sounds super sketchy to me 🤔, like, what if it doesn't translate? Machado's got that grassroots support which could be super powerful in rebuilding the country 🌱. I'm still a bit skeptical about her leadership abilities but Shapiro's words of wisdom make me think twice 💡. Maybe this US diplomat has been hangin out with Machado too long 😉😂
 
im not surprised that people think Machado could do better than Trump, she's already got a rep for being one of the few politicians who truly care about the ppl in Venezuela 🤝... but I wonder if her popularity is just gonna be a 1-trick pony, can she actually make decisions and lead without getting swayed by the crowd? her lack of military exp is definitely a concern, I mean rebuilding an economy takes more than just being liked by everyone 😊... and what about her views on Venezuela's energy sector? if she can't even get that right, how's she gonna fix the rest of the country? 🤔 still, it's interesting to see someone like Shapiro who actually knows the ins and outs of the country (he was ambassador back in 2005) weighing in on this...
 
🤯 I gotta say, if Machado can connect with the people and they love her, that's a big deal. Trump might be all about the loud mouth and making deals, but has he ever been to Venezuela? 🤷‍♂️ Shapiro makes some valid points about her grassroots support being a game-changer. I mean, we've seen time and time again how foreign intervention or backing doesn't always work out for countries in crisis mode. Maybe it's time to give someone who actually knows the country and its people a shot? 🤔
 
so Machado has this grassroots support thing going on and Shapiro's all like yeah that's gonna save her... but what about when it comes to, like actual governing? I mean Trump's got some major baggage but at least he's had experience with... stuff. Machado's just a lawyer, right? not saying she can't do it but how does she plan on, like, actually running the country if everyone already hates her policies? 🤔💡
 
I don't get why ppl are still debating about Machado vs Trump 🤔... like, can't we just focus on rebuildin that economy and helpin those people in need? I mean, Shapiro makes a valid point about her connectin with ordinary Venezuelans, but what's the big deal if she doesn't have military experience? Can't she learn as she goes? And what's wrong with gettin some foreign backing or military help when you need it? It's not like we haven't seen that work before 🤷‍♂️... and Trump's whole "tough guy" vibe is just gonna scare people off. Let's focus on findin someone who can bring people together and make progress, ya know?
 
🤔 I'm intrigued by this idea that someone as unpopular as Trump could be dethroned by Machado's street cred 🚗💨. It makes sense, tbh - who's better equipped to lead a country than the people themselves? 💬 Shapiro seems right on point when he says it's all about having that grassroots support 🌱. I mean, if Trump can't win over the Venezuelans without resorting to... well, you know 😅, then maybe Machado has got this 🙏. Plus, her experience in building a movement from the ground up could be a real game-changer 🎯. We'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out 🕰️
 
Machado might be a dark horse candidate, but I'm not sure she's the best bet 🤔. I mean, Trump might not be perfect, but he's got experience with crises and has shown some willingness to take risks. What if Machado can't handle the pressure? Plus, her experience in politics seems pretty limited compared to some of the other contenders...
 
I'm loving this, Machado vs Trump! 🤯 I think Shapiro's got a point though, if she can tap into the everyday Venezuelans' frustration with the current state of affairs, it could be a game-changer. I mean, Trump's all about the drama and the tweets, but is that really what Venezuela needs right now? Machado's got a chance to connect on a real level and make some meaningful changes. And let's not forget, she's already proven herself as a strong voice for change in opposition circles 🗣️. Of course, it's always gonna be tough, but I think Shapiro's on the money with this "somebody popular on the ground" thing 👍
 
omg i just can't even imagine maria corina machado as president lol she's still living in her parent's house btw 🏠😂 i mean idk if anyone can connect with venezuelans more than joe biden, he's been to the country like 5 times already 🤣. but seriously tho charles shapiro makes a point about people on the ground being key to rebuilding that economy. like have you seen the state of venezuela's infrastructure lately? it's like a war zone 💥. and machado's popularity is real, i've been following her campaign online and she's got some sick skills 💁‍♀️. Trump can keep his tweets, machado's gonna win with the people 🤜🏽💪
 
I think its crazy how people are weighing up Machado's chances 🤯. I mean, she's not exactly a traditional presidential material, but her street cred is real 💯. If she can rally those ordinary Venezuelans and get them behind her cause, that's gotta count for something. The argument that Trump has this experience in military leadership is fair, but Shapiro makes some legit points about how effective leaders are all about connecting with the people.

I also think its refreshing to hear a US diplomat say that foreign backing isn't the way to go 🌎. Its all about understanding the local context and working from within. Machado's grassroots support could be a game-changer for Venezuela, but we gotta keep an eye on how she handles those tough decisions down the line 💪
 
I dont get why people think Machado's got a shot 🤔. I mean, Trump did some crazy stuff as president, but at least he had experience with being in charge of a country 🤷‍♂️. Machado just seems like she'd be winging it and hoping for the best. And what about all those Venezuelans who are still struggling to get food and water? I'm not convinced that some grassroots support is gonna magically fix everything 💸. Plus, Trump might've had his issues, but at least he's got some experience in dealing with tough situations abroad 🌎. Does Machado really know how to navigate all the complexities of Venezuela's economy and politics? I'm just not buying it 😐.
 
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