President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is considering involving Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in some capacity in her country, signaling a notable shift in tone as his administration continues engaging on Venezuela.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said discussions with Machado are already underway, though he did not specify what role she might play. “We’re talking to her and maybe we can get her involved some way. I’d love to be able to do that; Maria, maybe we can do that,” Trump said, referring to Machado, who met with him last week and presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize. Not exactly a casual meet-and-greet.

The remarks mark a change for the president, who had previously questioned Machado’s popularity and leadership potential following the U.S. operation earlier this month that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Despite those earlier doubts, Machado’s political backing is hard to ignore. Her party said it won 70% of the vote in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election.

Trump also struck a surprisingly upbeat tone when discussing Venezuela more broadly, pointing to improved cooperation with the country’s interim leadership. “I felt so strongly against Venezuela, now I’m loving Venezuela. They’ve been working with us so well. It’s been so nice,” Trump said, referring to his administration’s dealings with interim president Delcy Rodríguez.

The comments suggest a pragmatic, results-focused approach from the Trump administration—one that keeps America’s interests front and center while remaining open to working with leaders who show they can deliver. Whether Machado ultimately takes on a formal role remains to be seen, but the door is clearly open, and momentum appears to be moving in a positive direction for Venezuela and U.S. engagement alike.