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Washington DC, January 16. Venezuela’s leading opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. In an unprecedented development during this private meeting, Machado handed over his Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump. Machado called it a ‘historic day’ for the Venezuelan people. Trump expressed happiness, thanked ‘Truth Social’ President Trump highly appreciated this step of Machado. He wrote on his social media platform ‘Truth Social’, “Maria is an amazing woman who has been through a lot. She handed me her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the work I have done. It is a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you Maria!”

Power crisis in Venezuela: Trump’s stance changed?

This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders. The meeting comes at a time of great turmoil in Venezuelan politics:

Maduro’s detention: Recently American soldiers detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.

Caretaker rule: Venezuela is currently governed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice-president in the Maduro government.

Trump’s diplomacy: Interestingly, Trump has so far refused to declare or support Machado as the new leader of Venezuela. Instead, they are prioritizing a conversation with Delsey Rodriguez.

Disputed elections and Machado’s claim

Maria Corina Machado and her movement claimed victory in the 2024 Venezuelan elections. However, that election was widely disputed and Maduro refused to give up power. Now this meeting with Trump is being seen as Machado’s attempt to garner international support.