Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump on Thursday, the White House has confirmed.
The visit comes just weeks after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was seized in Caracas by US forces. However, Trump declined to endorse Machado, whose movement claimed victory in the widely contested elections of 2024, as its new leader. Instead, the U.S. backed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice-president.
Machado expressed her hope to personally thank Trump for the action against Maduro and suggested she might like to give her Nobel Prize to him. Trump described this as a great honour, but the Nobel Committee clarified that the prize is not transferrable.
Earlier, Trump had shown discontent regarding Machado's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, an accolade he has long coveted. When asked if receiving Machado's prize might change his view of her role in Venezuela, the president commented, She might be involved in some aspect of it, and recognized her intention to visit.
Following Maduro's ouster, Trump remarked that Machado doesn't have the support within, or the respect within, the country. While acknowledging her as a very nice woman, he stated that she lacks the respect needed to lead.
The U.S. has thus far backed Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela's interim president, labeling her as an ally who has cooperated with U.S. officials, and she has not faced any charges.
Machado contends that her coalition should be leading the country and has publicly criticized Rodríguez, asserting, No one trusts Rodríguez. Machado has previously emphasized her support among Venezuelans and the international community.
Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, called the U.S. military action in Venezuela a pivotal step towards restoring democracy and lawfulness in the nation. In contrast, Rodríguez has dismissed claims of U.S. governance in Venezuela, asserting, The Venezuelan government rules our country, and no one else does.
