Venezuelan opposition leader and newly crowned Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado has dedicated her award to President Donald Trump, calling him a “decisive ally” in her country’s struggle for freedom.
Machado, 58, received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize last week for her tireless campaign to restore democracy in Venezuela, a nation that has endured two decades of economic collapse, political repression, and mass poverty under socialist rule.
The award sparked international praise — and, unexpectedly, a moment of political crossover — when Machado publicly credited Trump for his role in supporting Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement.
“I Dedicate This Prize to President Trump”
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Machado said:
“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 nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy.”
She added:
“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela — and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!”
Machado followed up during a Fox & Friends interview, where she praised Trump for what she described as “clear and courageous actions” to dismantle criminal networks and pressure Venezuela’s authoritarian regime.
“He deserves it,” she told Fox News. “His actions have been decisive in helping Venezuela begin to dismantle the criminal structures that have destroyed our country.”
Her comments come just days after Trump himself mentioned the Nobel Peace Prize during a campaign stop, joking that he “should have won it” after brokering peace agreements in the Middle East.
Trump Responds to Machado’s Tribute
During remarks at a roundtable in Washington last week, Trump revealed that Machado had personally called him to express her gratitude and dedicate the award in his honor.
“The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today and said, ‘I’m accepting this in honor of you, because you really deserved it,’” Trump said, adding with a grin, “I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’ though.”
He went on to reference the peace deals his administration helped broker between Israel and Hamas, saying:
“There are those who say that we did so much that they should have done it. I’m happy because I saved millions of lives.”
Trump, who has frequently said he “deserved” the Nobel Peace Prize for his foreign policy achievements, including de-escalation efforts in the Middle East and Asia, congratulated Machado for what he called a “well-deserved honor.”
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The Nobel Committee’s Decision
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Machado the 2025 Peace Prize for what it called her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her struggle to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Committee chair Joergen Watne Frydnes praised her courage and persistence despite facing political persecution, saying:
“She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to the principles of freedom, human rights, and non-violence in pursuit of democratic change.”
When asked by Sky News whether the committee was influenced by the international attention surrounding Trump’s candidacy for the prize, Frydnes was firm:
“Every year we receive thousands of letters, campaigns, lobbying, and pressure from all sides. That’s something we’re quite used to. We evaluate the merits of each candidate carefully.”
Machado’s Alliance with Trump
Machado has long been outspoken in her appreciation for Trump’s support of Venezuela’s opposition movement. During his first term, the Trump administration imposed heavy sanctions on the regime of Nicolás Maduro, recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president, and launched a coordinated international campaign to isolate Caracas from global financial systems.
In a 2024 interview with Fox News, Machado thanked Trump for “addressing the tragedy that Venezuela is going through.”
“On behalf of the Venezuelan people, I want to tell you how grateful we are to President Trump and the administration,” she said. “Maduro has turned Venezuela into the biggest threat to U.S. national security and to the stability of the region.”
Her comments gained renewed attention last month after a U.S. airstrike killed 11 alleged Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists — a group tied to Venezuela’s drug-trafficking network — in Colombia. At the time, Machado called it a “decisive step” in dismantling the criminal organizations that sustain Maduro’s rule.
A Symbolic Moment for Both Leaders
For Machado, dedicating the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump represents both gratitude and strategy. Analysts in Latin America note that Trump remains deeply popular among Venezuelan exiles, particularly in Florida, where his administration’s hardline stance against Maduro is still seen as pivotal.
“This is a symbolic alliance,” said Dr. Jorge Pérez, a political analyst at the University of Miami. “Machado’s gesture is not just about thanking Trump — it’s about reinforcing her legitimacy as a freedom fighter and aligning herself with the political movement that gave her international visibility.”
He added: “Trump, in turn, gets validation from a Nobel laureate who embodies resistance to socialism — a theme that plays strongly with his base.”
The White House Reaction
The Biden White House reacted coolly to the Nobel announcement and to Machado’s subsequent dedication. In a statement issued by a senior official, the administration accused the Nobel Committee of “placing politics over peace” by rewarding what it called “a political opposition leader instead of an advocate of diplomacy.”
The comment drew backlash online, with many users on X noting that Machado had spent decades fighting — often at great personal risk — for democracy in a nation suffering under authoritarian control.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign shared Machado’s dedication video across social platforms, describing it as “an extraordinary act of courage and gratitude.”
Who Is María Corina Machado?
A former engineer turned lawmaker, Machado has spent over two decades leading Venezuela’s opposition to the socialist regimes of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. She founded the political party Vente Venezuela, which has grown into the country’s largest pro-democracy movement.
She was banned from holding public office by the Maduro regime multiple times, and in 2014 was briefly detained after attending anti-government protests. Despite persecution, she continued to organize resistance efforts and build alliances with international partners — most notably with U.S. conservatives and Latin American democracy activists.
In recent years, Machado became a unifying figure among Venezuelans both inside and outside the country, rallying support for free elections and a peaceful transition of power.
Looking Ahead
Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize comes at a time when Venezuela’s political crisis appears to be at a crossroads. Economic conditions have worsened, international sanctions remain in place, and millions have fled the country.
Her acknowledgment of Trump — the first U.S. president she has publicly dedicated an award to — underscores her view that foreign backing remains crucial to toppling Maduro’s dictatorship.
“I accept this honor not just for myself, but for all Venezuelans who believe in liberty,” Machado said in her acceptance speech in Oslo. “And I dedicate it to those who have stood by us — especially President Trump, whose leadership and conviction have given hope to millions.”
For Trump, the Nobel connection may serve as both vindication and motivation. While he didn’t take home the prize, his influence continues to ripple across global politics — now with the endorsement of a Nobel laureate who says he “deserved it more than anyone.”
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
