Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to former US President Donald Trump, acknowledging his “decisive support” for Venezuela’s democratic struggle and his role in advancing the Gaza peace initiative.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Machado wrote:
“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.”
She continued, “We are on the threshold of victory, and today more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve freedom and democracy.”
Her statement came shortly after a White House response criticised the Nobel Committee, saying the decision reflected “politics over peace.” The statement added, “The Nobel Committee has shown once again that political agendas take precedence over genuine efforts for peace.”
The announcement coincided with a significant geopolitical milestone — coming just a day after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a plan proposed by Trump last month.
Machado, 58, has been one of Trump’s strongest supporters in Latin America, often praising his firm stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. She previously described the US naval deployment near Venezuela as a “necessary step toward democratic transition.”
In its citation, the Nobel Committee commended Machado for her “tireless struggle for the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and her efforts toward a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Machado has remained in hiding for over a year following Venezuela’s disputed election, widely seen by international observers as fraudulent and favouring Maduro. Barred from running for office, she endorsed Edmundo González Urrutia, whom much of the global community recognises as the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential election.
