Author: La Tabla/Plataforma de Periodismo de Datos 8 AGOSTO 2025
The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado remains sheltered in a luxury apartment at the former U.S. Embassy in Caracas, as confirmed by official sources to local media (including La Iguana TV) on August 8. From this location, the Venezuelan government claims that she is coordinating actions against the State, including a recent explosives attack in Plaza Venezuela that was thwarted by the authorities. However, her safety may be compromised by an invisible diplomatic crisis: the escalating trade conflict between Switzerland and the U.S., which threatens the protection agreement for U.S. interests in Venezuela that has been in effect since 2019.
1. The fragile diplomatic framework
– A protective power at risk: Since April 2019, Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Venezuela after the break in diplomatic relations. The agreement—although never formally ratified by Venezuela—permits basic consular management but does not include physical protection or emergency evacuation.
– Critical limitations: The Swiss Embassy in Caracas only offers services such as notary processing or visas. Their official website does not even mention protocols for political crises or rescues, leaving refugees like Machado in a legal gray area.
– Operational overload: In December 2024, Switzerland assumed the role of representing Ecuador in Venezuela, diluting the human and logistical resources initially devoted to the U.S.-Venezuela mandate.
2. The commercial bomb that could detonate the agreement
– 39% tariffs: On August 7, 2025, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports, which Bern labeled as “a serious obstacle to bilateral relations.”
– Failed diplomacy: Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter traveled to Washington on August 5 to negotiate but returned without agreements. Experts warn that this tension could lead Switzerland to reevaluate its role as a mediator in external conflicts.
– Risk of retaliation: Analysts consulted by this medium warn that if Switzerland reduces its cooperation with the U.S., the symbolic protection to the former embassy in Caracas could evaporate, leaving Machado vulnerable to the Maduro regime’s operatives.
3. Vulnerability of Machado and Swiss silence
– Asylum without guarantees: Unlike active embassies, the former U.S. location lacks full diplomatic immunity. Switzerland only manages administrative interests, not military protection.
Conclusion: Neutrality under fire
The paradox is clear: Switzerland attempts to mediate in Venezuela while its relationship with the U.S. crumbles. With President Keller-Sutter admitting that the tariffs “damage bilateral trust,” the mandate in Caracas appears doomed to become a bargaining chip. For Machado, the luxury of her refuge may disappear as quickly as the fragile understanding between Bern and Washington.