Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has strongly praised former US President Donald Trump following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. She said she would “love to” offer her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, crediting him for taking strong action that has brought Venezuela closer to freedom.
Speaking after Maduro was captured from Caracas and indicted in a New York federal court on narco-terrorism charges, Machado described January 3 as a historic day. She said it would be remembered as the moment when “justice defeated tyranny.” According to her, this event is not only important for Venezuela but also a major step forward for humanity, freedom, and human dignity.
Machado expressed her views in an interview, saying that millions of Venezuelans are finally seeing hope after years of political struggle and repression. She thanked Trump for what she called decisive leadership and said that his actions have changed the future of the country.
The opposition leader explained that her vision for Venezuela includes dismantling criminal networks, turning the country into a security shield for the Americas, developing Venezuela as an energy hub, and bringing back millions of Venezuelans who were forced to leave their homeland due to the crisis.
Machado’s political journey has been long and challenging. She has been a vocal critic of Maduro’s government and has consistently opposed what she describes as his dictatorship. Although she won her party’s primary election, the government barred her from contesting the presidential polls. As a result, Edmundo Gonzalez ran in her place. Despite this setback, Machado said the movement only grew stronger.
She stated that Maduro feared her leadership and believed that banning her would stop the opposition. However, she said the opposite happened, as the Venezuelan people united more firmly against the government.
When Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for democracy and freedom in Venezuela, she dedicated the honor to Trump. She said that even then, she believed he deserved it for his role in supporting democratic values. After Maduro’s capture, she said her belief has only become stronger.
When asked whether she had formally offered her Nobel Prize to Trump, Machado said it had not happened yet. However, she added that she would love to personally tell him and that the people of Venezuela feel the same way.
She concluded by saying that Trump’s actions have brought 30 million Venezuelans closer to freedom and have also helped make the United States a safer country.
