Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday and handed him her Nobel Peace Prize medal. She described the act as recognition of his support for freedom in Venezuela, where Nicolas Maduro was recently captured in a U.S. operation and his allies now hold power.
Background
Maria Corina Machado has led Venezuela's opposition for years. She won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the country. Last year, when she received the award in Oslo, she dedicated it to Trump right away. Venezuela has faced deep troubles under Maduro's rule. Millions fled due to hunger and violence. Opposition groups, including Machado, claimed victory in the July 2024 presidential election, but Maduro stayed in power.
The U.S. changed course last year. American forces captured Maduro and brought him to face charges. That left a power vacuum. Delcy Rodriguez, a close Maduro ally, stepped in as acting president. At first, Trump warned her she might end up like Maduro. But over time, his administration started working with her. They saw her as a way to keep Venezuela stable and avoid collapse. Rodriguez freed some American prisoners this week as a sign of goodwill.
Machado's trip to Washington came at a key moment. She wanted assurances from Trump that her side still had a role in Venezuela's future. Polls and observers said the opposition won the 2024 vote fair and square. Yet Maduro's team blocked her from running and sidelined her group. Now, with Maduro gone, Machado hoped to press her case directly with the U.S. leader.
Key Details
The meeting happened at the White House. Machado arrived and met Trump in private. Afterward, she spoke to reporters outside. She confirmed she gave him the gold Nobel medal.
"I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado said.
She explained it was for his 'unique commitment' to Venezuela's freedom. Machado compared the moment to history. She noted how Simon Bolivar, Venezuela's independence hero, once got a medal with George Washington's face from the Marquis de Lafayette. She saw her gesture the same way – a link between leaders fighting for liberty.
Machado praised Trump's grasp of her country's issues.
"I was impressed by how clear he was, how much he knows about the situation in Venezuela, how much he cares about the suffering of the Venezuelan people, and I assured him that the Venezuelan people are united," she said.
Trump thanked her. He called it a 'wonderful gesture of mutual respect.' But he did not say if he accepted the prize. The Nobel committee has rules against transferring awards. They belong to the winner alone.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke later. She said Trump's view on Machado stayed the same. He once called her a 'very nice woman' but said she lacks support inside Venezuela. His team based that on reports from advisers and security experts. Leavitt added that Trump hopes for elections someday, but no date is set. It's too soon, they say.
U.S. Shift on Venezuela Leadership
Trump's team now backs Rodriguez for stability. They demand changes from her government, like fair talks and economic fixes. Rodriguez condemned Maduro's capture but promised to keep working with Washington. She called it productive dialogue. This week's prisoner release showed her side means business.
Machado's charm offensive aimed to change minds. She wants the U.S. to push for her as leader. But Rodriguez holds the reins in Caracas. Maduro's old colleagues run things there. They froze out the opposition. Machado seeks guarantees that Venezuela heads to liberal democracy, not back to the past.
What This Means
The medal handoff shows Machado's bold play for attention. It puts her fight in the spotlight and ties her to Trump publicly. But it risks little change. U.S. policy leans toward Rodriguez to prevent chaos. Venezuela's oil fields and refugees make stability key for America. A collapse could flood borders with more migrants.
For Venezuelans, the stakes are high. Over seven million have left since 2015. Those who stayed face shortages and crime. Opposition backers see Machado as their hope. Her Nobel win boosted her worldwide. Yet without U.S. muscle, her path to power looks narrow.
Trump's words matter. His first term hit Venezuela hard with sanctions. That sped Maduro's fall. Now, his team weighs options. Elections could come if Rodriguez plays ball. Or talks might drag on. Machado's visit tests if she sways him. Rodriguez watches close. Her grip tightens with each U.S. nod.
Broader ties shift too. Latin America eyes Washington. Brazil and Colombia host Venezuelan exiles. They want quick fixes. Trump's choice – Machado or Rodriguez – shapes the region. It signals if America backs elections or deals with strongmen.
Machado leaves with no firm win. Trump did not shift support. But her gesture lingers. Reporters will watch his next words on Venezuela. Rodriguez freed prisoners ahead of the meeting. That bought time. Future briefings may reveal more.
Venezuela sits at a crossroads. Maduro's capture opened doors. But who walks through stays unclear. Machado's medal sits with Trump now. Symbol or step forward? Time tells.
