Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was seen near the White House on Thursday (January 15) ahead of her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Machado, who fled Venezuela in a daring seaborne escape in December, finds herself competing for Trump's ear with members of Venezuela's government and seeking to ensure she has a role in governing the nation going forward. The lunch marks the first time the two have met in person.After the U.S. captured Venezuela's longtime leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a snatch-and-grab operation this month, various opposition figures, members of Venezuela's diaspora and politicians throughout the U.S. and Latin America have expressed hope that Venezuela will begin the process of democratization. The day after the January 3 operation, he expressed doubts that Machado had the backing needed to return to the country and govern, telling reporters, "She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country."

The White House on Thursday (January 15) said President Trump made a "realistic assessment" of popular support for Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and gave no updated timetable for when elections might be held in the South American country. Machado was at the White House for lunch with Trump on Thursday as she seeks to ensure she has a role in governing her country going forward.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS STILL PHOTOS OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER MARIA CORINA MACHADO NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE AHEAD OF MEETING WITH U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

2. WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT APPROACHING LECTERN

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, KAROLINE LEAVITT, IN EXCHANGE WITH OFF-CAMERA REPORTER, SAYING:

REPORTER: “Is it still the president's assessment that it would be very hard for Miss Machado to lead Venezuela because he says she lacks the respect and support in that country? And will he raise that with her tonight?”

LEAVITT: “I think the president's assessment that you just pointed out was based on realities on the ground. It was a realistic assessment based on what the president was reading and hearing from his advisers and national security team. And at this moment in time, his opinion on that matter has not changed.”

REPORTER: “He has also said that he would like there to be elections in Venezuela when the time is right. Do you have any update on when that might be? And is he committed to a transition to democracy for Venezuela?”

LEAVITT: “Yes. And he is also committed to hopefully seeing elections in Venezuela one day. But I don't have an updated timetable for you today.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. LEAVITT ENDING PRESSER