Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner stated she has not contacted President Donald Trump since 10 October 2025. She reaffirmed support for U.S. movements in Venezuela as she prepares to return to her country as soon as possible amid the power transition following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
Maria Corina Machado gave an interview on the Fox News program "Hannity" last Monday (5 Jan), marking her first media appearance since the U.S. military launched an operation in Venezuela and detained Nicolás Maduro over the past weekend.
Machado revealed that she has not spoken with President Donald Trump since 10 October 2025, the day she was announced as a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Nevertheless, she expressed the view that President Trump also deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his decision to act in Venezuela, which she praised as "a great step for humanity, freedom, and human dignity."
Currently residing in Norway after traveling there last month to receive the Nobel Prize, she said she plans to return to Venezuela "as soon as possible." She explained that she had to remain in hiding for several months because it was unsafe to return home and considered that hiding "was more beneficial."
She also criticized the situation in Venezuela, stating that "Nicolás Maduro" had fully controlled the electoral system, making free elections impossible, yet the opposition ultimately won decisively. Furthermore, she condemned the recent arrest of 14 journalists and emphasized that Delcy Rodríguez, who recently took the oath as acting president, "is an untrustworthy person." Venezuela needs to move toward a genuine transition of power.
Although Machado expressed gratitude toward the United States, the political situation appears to be becoming more complex. On the past Saturday, President Donald Trump reportedly refused to work with her, commenting that "she does not have enough support or respect within the country," casting doubt on Machado's future leadership prospects in Washington's eyes.
Venezuela is currently in a political vacuum following the U.S. forces' arrest of Nicolás Maduro, leading Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez to assume acting presidential duties amid close international scrutiny.