Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader who offered him her Nobel Prize

President Trump said on Thursday he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado next week in Washington, after she offered to give him the Nobel Peace Prize she won last year and following his refusal to back her to lead the country after the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro.

Ms. Machado led a successful election campaign in 2024 against Mr. Maduro and, the Times reported, had the greatest popular legitimacy to lead the nation, though Mr. Trump has said she does not have the necessary support or respect within Venezuela to govern. Earlier this week she told Fox News she would present the prize as a token of gratitude from the Venezuelan people for the removal of Mr. Maduro and had previously dedicated the award to Mr. Trump.

In an interview at the White House with Sean Hannity, Mr. Trump said, "I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her." He also said it "would be a great honor" to accept the award and called it "a major embarrassment to Norway" that he had not been given the prize. The Times noted that Mr. Trump often claims credit for ending several wars since taking office and has taken credit for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, while in some cases his role is disputed or fighting has resumed.

The meeting is expected next week, but the exact timing and whether Mr. Trump will formally accept the Nobel Prize from Ms. Machado have not been detailed.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Maria Corina Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Nobel Peace Prize, White House