Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, made an unexpected mention of US President Donald Trump in her victory statements. While thanking the people of Venezuela for the coveted award, Machado specifically lauded the American president for his support. This acknowledgment comes as she remains in hiding within Venezuela, following authoritarian leftist President Nicolas Maduro’s contested election victory.
Who is Maria Corina Machado?
A Critics say the issue isn’t just about losing jobs — it also brings up serious ethical questions, since AI actors have no free will and can’t give consent. She was blocked from running for president by Venezuela’s courts, preventing a drect electoral challenge. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” For the past year, she has been operating from hiding inside the country.
What Did She Say About Donald Trump?
In two separate social media posts, Machado expressed her gratitude and outlined her political alignment. She stated that her country counts on President Donald Trump and the United States more than ever “to achieve freedom and democracy.” In one post, she wrote, “We are on the threshold of victory and today more than ever we count on President Trump, the people of the United States… as our main allies.” In a subsequent post, she dedicated the peace prize to the people of Venezuela and “to President Trump for his decisive support.”
Este inmenso reconocimiento a la lucha de todos los venezolanos es un impulso para concluir nuestra tarea: conquistar la Libertad.
Estamos en el umbral de la victoria y hoy más que nunca contamos con el Presidente Trump, el pueblo de los Estados Unidos, los pueblos de América…
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025
This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.
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…
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025
How Has Trump and the US Reacted?
US President Donald Trump, who has often stated he deserves the Nobel Prize, has so far not made a formal statement on Machado’s win. However, he shared a screenshot of her post on his social media platform without comment. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung reacted by calling the committee’s decision a sign of “politics over peace,” adding that “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives.” Trump has previously backed Machado, calling for her safety when she was detained during an anti-government protest.
What is the Bigger Picture?
Machado’s endorsement of Trump is linked to his administration’s hardline stance against Maduro. She supported Trump’s use of military pressure, including a strong US naval presence near Venezuela, calling it a “necessary step” toward democracy. This link has turned the Nobel Peace Prize into a geopolitical controversy, with leaders like Israel’s Netanyahu and Russia’s Putin criticizing the award for its political bias.
Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly statements and news agency reports.
