Trump pulls back from Venezuelan opposition after taking Nobel Prize
Sources described how Machado’s acceptance of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — an honor Trump had openly pursued for years — was perceived by him as a misstep that ultimately cost her his backing. Those close to the administration said the decision was interpreted as a personal and political affront.
One official, as quoted in reports, went so far as to claim that had Machado declined the award out of deference to Trump, “she would be Venezuela’s president today.”
Earlier, in October 2025, Machado had publicly dedicated the Nobel Prize to Trump, commending his “decisive support” for Venezuela’s opposition and crediting him with playing a central role in increasing pressure on the Maduro government.
However, when Trump was later questioned about Machado’s potential as a national leader, his tone was notably dismissive. “It would be very tough for her to be the leader, I think. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,” he said.
The Nobel Committee awarded Machado the 2025 Peace Prize in recognition of her work defending democratic freedoms and advocating a nonviolent transition from authoritarian governance to democracy in Venezuela.
Despite media accounts suggesting that Trump’s distancing from Machado stemmed directly from the Nobel Prize episode, US policy toward Venezuela appears to be driven by broader strategic considerations rather than allegiance to a single opposition personality. According to officials, the emphasis is on steering a controlled political transition rather than elevating one leader.
At a recent briefing on Venezuela policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined that US engagement is focused on policy management instead of direct administration, while addressing immediate conditions on the ground. This includes interaction with interim governing bodies that align with US objectives.
In line with this approach, the State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs has reportedly concentrated on building stable and predictable relationships with sectors of Venezuela’s political and military institutions seen as capable of enabling an orderly handover of power, rather than relying exclusively on opposition figures whose domestic legitimacy remains uncertain following the intervention.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
