Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado is set to meet with President Donald Trump on Thursday, as confirmed by the White House. This meeting occurs shortly after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly apprehended in Caracas by US forces.
Despite Machado’s movement claiming victory in the contentious 2024 elections, Trump has refrained from endorsing her as the new leader of Venezuela. Instead, the US government has voiced its support for Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president. Machado expressed her desire to personally thank Trump for the recent military action against Maduro and even proposed giving her Nobel Prize to him, an idea Trump called “a great honour,” though the Nobel Committee clarified that the award is not transferable.
Trump has previously shown dissatisfaction with Machado’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has coveted. When asked if her receipt of the prize might alter his perception of her influence in Venezuela, he acknowledged her potential involvement but emphasized the need for a discussion. Earlier remarks from Trump suggested that Machado lacked support and respect within Venezuela, although he acknowledged her as a “very nice woman.”
The US has primarily positioned Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim president. Trump regards her as an “ally,” highlighting her cooperation with US officials, while Machado asserts that her coalition is the rightful authority to lead the country. She has criticized Rodríguez, maintaining that the interim leader has instigated repression against innocent citizens and lacks trust among the Venezuelan populace.
In her remarks, Machado referred to the US military action as “a major step towards restoring prosperity and rule of law and democracy in Venezuela.” In contrast, Rodríguez has rejected assertions that the US is controlling Venezuela, insisting that the Venezuelan government is independent and sovereign, stating during a televised address, “There is no external agent governing Venezuela.”
This meeting between Trump and Machado signifies a pivotal moment for Venezuela’s political landscape, as the country grapples with its future following the ousting of Maduro.
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