Listen to the article
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Credits Trump for Supporting Democracy Movement
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has publicly thanked President Donald Trump for his support of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, dedicating her Nobel Peace Prize to him. Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital, Machado expressed gratitude for Trump’s backing during critical moments when many Venezuelans felt abandoned by the international community.
“I am absolutely grateful to President Trump for every gesture, every signal and every moment that he has stood with the Venezuelan people,” Machado stated. “I have watched it very closely, and I know what it has meant for those who are fighting to reclaim democracy and freedom in our country.”
Machado emphasized her belief that a democratic Venezuela is within reach, adding: “A free and democratic Venezuela is not only possible — it is closer than ever. And that free Venezuela is breathing louder than ever before.” She explained her dedication of the Nobel Prize as “symbolic of that fight for freedom” and dedicated to both the Venezuelan people and Trump “for showing what strong leadership looks like in the moments that matter most.”
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Machado hopes to visit the United States and meet with President Trump to formally honor him for his support of the Venezuelan democratic movement.
Machado’s comments come as she made her first public appearance in nearly a year, emerging in Oslo, Norway, after spending 11 months in hiding. Following a brief detention during an anti-government protest in Caracas, she was forced underground as pressure from Nicolás Maduro’s government intensified against opposition figures.
Her reappearance coincided with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, where her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prestigious award on her behalf. The Associated Press reported that Machado waved to supporters from a hotel balcony in her first public appearance since going into hiding.
The Venezuelan opposition leader has faced significant political persecution in her home country. Despite winning the opposition primary by an overwhelming margin, Machado was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, a move widely condemned by Western governments as undemocratic.
Roxanna Vigil, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told Fox News Digital that Machado remains “the most popular political figure in Venezuela,” noting that she secured “over 90% of the vote” in the opposition primary before being disqualified by the Maduro regime. “She became a real threat… and so they disqualified her from running,” Vigil explained.
Following her disqualification, Machado endorsed opposition candidate Edmundo González, who independent election monitors widely recognized as having won the 2024 presidential election. However, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro allies, declared the incumbent president the winner and inaugurated him for another term, triggering international criticism and deepening the country’s political crisis.
The political standoff has contributed to Venezuela’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, which has seen millions of citizens flee the country in recent years due to economic collapse, political repression, and deteriorating living conditions under Maduro’s rule.
Despite the risks, Machado has signaled her intention to return to Venezuela when conditions permit and continues to advocate for a peaceful transition away from Maduro’s authoritarian government. Her recent Nobel Peace Prize recognition has brought renewed international attention to the struggle for democratic restoration in Venezuela.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
7 Comments
Machado’s comments reflect the pragmatic need to build broad coalitions in pursuit of democratic change. While Trump’s record is mixed, her gratitude suggests his administration did play a meaningful role in supporting the Venezuelan opposition. Food for thought.
Machado’s dedication of the Nobel Prize to Trump is a symbolic gesture, but an impactful one. It shows the importance of international support, even from unlikely sources, in advancing democracy and freedom in countries like Venezuela.
While I’m skeptical of Trump’s foreign policy in many areas, I can appreciate Machado’s gratitude for his backing of the Venezuelan democracy movement. This highlights the nuances in global affairs – political adversaries can still find common ground on certain issues.
This is an interesting development. Machado’s gratitude towards Trump for supporting Venezuela’s democracy movement is noteworthy, even if one may have mixed views on Trump’s foreign policy. It’s encouraging to see progress towards a free Venezuela.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela. Machado’s recognition of Trump’s support, even with their broader differences, underscores the complexity of global politics. I’ll be following this story closely.
I’m curious to learn more about Machado’s specific contributions to the pro-democracy cause in Venezuela. Dedicating a Nobel Prize to Trump is a bold move – it will be interesting to see the reaction and whether it helps or hinders the broader efforts.
It’s good to see Venezuela’s opposition leaders acknowledging support from international figures like Trump, even if their relationship is complex. A free and democratic Venezuela is crucial for the region, so I hope Machado’s efforts continue to gain traction.