Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met President Donald Trump in Washington, presenting her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal in thanks for U.S. support in ousting Nicolás Maduro. Despite Trump's reservations about her leadership, she voiced optimism for democracy, as the U.S. advances economic and security ties with interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026—which prompted Trump's initial skepticism of Machado's viability as a leader—opposition figure María Corina Machado met Trump at the White House on Thursday. The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who had been in hiding for 11 months before emerging in Norway, gifted him her medal, calling it recognition of his 'unique commitment' to Venezuelan freedom. Trump shared on Truth Social: 'It was [my] Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado... She presented [me] with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture.' A framed photo captured the moment as a 'personal symbol of gratitude... for President Trump's principled action to secure a free Venezuela.'
Trump's doubts persist, however; post-arrest comments questioned her domestic 'respect' and support. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the meeting 'frank and positive' but affirmed Trump's 'realistic assessment.' Machado remained upbeat, telling reporters: 'We can count on President Trump,' and at a Friday Heritage Foundation event: 'We are definitely now into the first steps of a true transition to democracy.'
Concurrently, Trump held a 'very good' phone call with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez—Maduro's former vice president—covering oil, minerals, trade, and security. He described her as a 'terrific person' and foresaw a 'spectacular' partnership to make Venezuela 'great and prosperous.' CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Rodríguez in Caracas for talks on economic collaboration and combating groups like Tren de Aragua. A U.S. official emphasized: 'Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for America’s adversaries.' Trump announced an oil deal for 30-50 million barrels of crude, with proceeds earmarked for U.S. imports in agriculture, medicine, and electricity. The U.S. prioritizes stabilization before elections: 'We have to fix the country... nurse it back to health.'
Machado urged dismantling the 'criminal regime,' including closing torture centers, freeing prisoners, and restoring press freedoms, citing a 2023 State Department report on Maduro-era abuses. Rodríguez's administration has released prisoners, including five Americans, and opened diplomatic and oil channels. On Capitol Hill, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) noted Machado's warnings on election delays and called Rodríguez 'worse than Maduro'; Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) hailed Trump's intervention as Latin America's pivotal event.
