Machado Says Trump Deserves Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said she believes U.S. President Donald Trump is worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his actions on Venezuela as a significant contribution to humanity.

In an interview with Fox News, Machado expressed appreciation for Trump’s role, saying his decisions demonstrated leadership with global impact. According to her, Trump’s approach to the Venezuelan crisis showed that meaningful international action can influence entrenched political systems.

Machado, who challenged Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s presidential election, alleged that the electoral process was fundamentally flawed. She claimed Maduro exercised complete control over state institutions and the electoral authority, making free and fair elections impossible. Despite this, she said the opposition achieved overwhelming public support.

After spending several months in hiding, Machado said she plans to return to Venezuela as soon as conditions allow. She warned that political tensions in the country are escalating, noting that at least 14 journalists have been detained in recent weeks. She also expressed a lack of confidence in the interim leadership and stressed that political change must continue for the sake of Venezuelan citizens.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said that no elections would be held in Venezuela for at least the next 30 days following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the country must first be brought back to what he described as a “stable condition.”

Speaking to NBC News on Monday (January 5), Trump stated that the current situation does not permit the organization of elections. He indicated that the United States could maintain a military presence while playing a direct role in Venezuela’s stabilization efforts, if necessary.

Trump emphasized, however, that the United States is not at war with Venezuela. He said U.S. actions are directed against drug trafficking networks and criminal organizations. He also noted that American energy companies could be involved in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil and energy infrastructure.

According to Trump, senior U.S. officials—including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—will be involved in handling the Venezuela issue. When asked who would ultimately oversee U.S. policy on Venezuela, Trump replied, “I will.”