The much-anticipated meeting between Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado and US President Donald Trump has materialized. In the wake of dramatic events in Venezuela, all eyes were on this encounter. Following their meeting, Machado boldly claimed that she presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. However, she remained tight-lipped on whether he accepted it. Machado arrived at the White House on Thursday for a lunch meeting.
This meeting occurred amid heated discussions about Venezuela's political future, following the US-led actions against former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
Emerging from the White House after over an hour of talks, Machado received a warm reception from her supporters. She declared, 'We can trust President Trump,' prompting chants of 'Thank you, Trump' from the crowd before she proceeded to other engagements in Washington.
When pressed on whether Trump accepted the medal, Machado declined to comment. This development follows weeks of speculation surrounding her public statements about awarding Trump.
However, the Nobel Prize organization has reiterated that, according to its rules, the prize cannot be transferred or shared.
Trump’s Gift to Machado
After departing the White House, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was seen carrying a gift bag emblazoned with President Donald Trump's name. Handheld with her purse, this red bag bore the President's signature. The contents remain a mystery.
Source: aajtak
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt celebrated Machado as a heroic voice for many Venezuelans. Nevertheless, she also emphasized that Trump maintains his previous assessment regarding Machado's leadership prospects, noting prior comments about lacking domestic support.
Mixed US Support for Machado
Despite her Nobel laureate status and vocal advocacy for democracy, Machado received a mixed response from US officials. While Trump vocally praised Rodríguez for cooperation on oil and other concerns, some US lawmakers have placed their confidence in Machado.
Thursday’s meeting marked Machado’s first public appearance in Washington in months due to security concerns forcing her departure from Venezuela. Maduro's supporting Supreme Court barred Machado from contesting the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. Despite independent observers crediting opposition-backed Edmundo González with a decisive victory, Maduro maintained his grip on power.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who met with Machado, relayed her report to lawmakers about the continued oppressive regimen under Maduro. She described interim President Delcy Rodríguez as a 'skilled leader' gaining strength with President Trump's backing.
Trump previously stated his top priority is ensuring US access to Venezuelan oil and stabilizing the nation's economy. He has consistently lauded Rodríguez’s leadership post-Maduro.
