Florida GOP congressman predicts Machado will be next Venezuela president despite Trump’s comments

At a press conference in Miami focusing on the recent U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., rebuked a reporter who suggested that he and fellow Florida Republicans were not supporting Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as a future president.

“Do not put words in my mouth. I will not tolerate putting words in my mouth or my colleague’s mouth," he said. 

Diaz-Balart also emphasized his belief in Machado’s prospects in Venezuela.

"I’m convinced that when there are elections — whether there are new elections or there is a decision to take the old elections — the next democratically elected president of Venezuela is going to be María Corina Machado," he said. 

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., also reaffirmed her support for Machado.

“We are supporting her, and we are supporting everything the opposition forces and the civil society decide to do,” she said. 

On Saturday, President Trump said he didn't think Machado had the respect within the country to be the next leader but called her a nice woman.