Venezuela's opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has publicly pledged to support former US President Donald Trump in rebuilding her country and has attempted to 'share' her Nobel Peace Prize with him. This comes amid a reported rift following the military capture of socialist leader Nicolás Maduro.
Nobel Prize Dedication Sparks Tension with Trump
In an interview with Fox News, Machado addressed reports that Trump was displeased with her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in October, an honour he has long desired. Machado stated she dedicated the prize to Trump "for his decisive support of our cause" shortly after winning it. She told host Sean Hannity that Maduro's capture was another reason Trump deserved recognition.
When asked if she had offered the prize to Trump, Machado clarified, "Well, it hasn't happened yet, but I would certainly love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to give it to him and share it with him." She admitted they had not spoken since her Nobel victory.
Post-Maduro Power Dynamics and a Vision for Venezuela
Despite the apparent friction, Machado promised her full support to Trump in reconstructing Venezuela. She outlined an ambitious plan for the nation's future, stating, "We will turn Venezuela into the energy powerhouse of the Americas, we will bring rule of law, open markets, open it for investment." She vowed that millions of exiled Venezuelans would return to build a prosperous society, leaving socialism behind.
However, Machado warned that the current interim president, Delcy Rodríguez—recognised by the armed forces and who served as Maduro's vice president—poses a continued threat. "Rodríguez is the main ally with Russia, China, Iran. Certainly could not be trusted by international leaders," she asserted.
Diplomatic Fallout and Republican Support
Insiders revealed that Trump's distancing from Machado stems directly from her Nobel acceptance. One source told the Washington Post, "If she had turned it down and said, 'I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's,' she'd be the president of Venezuela today." They labelled her acceptance the 'ultimate sin.'
Over the weekend, Trump dismissed Machado's prospects, claiming she lacked domestic support and respect. This reportedly caught her team off guard. Nevertheless, Machado retains significant backing from key US Republicans:
- Representative Carlos Giménez said she would win an election held today.
- Florida Republicans María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart forcefully reaffirmed their support, with Díaz-Balart declaring her the next democratically elected president.
The Nobel committee awarded Machado the prize for her work promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition from dictatorship. Her proxy candidate, Edmundo González, won over two-thirds of the vote in last year's election, which Maduro refused to honour.
Analysts like former US ambassador Michael McFaul suggested Trump had thrown Machado "under the bus" over the prize, calling the reasoning 'petty.' Meanwhile, US officials note that Venezuela's vast oil reserves give Rodríguez both an incentive to deal with Trump and leverage if she refuses.
