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Maria Corina Machado Dedicates Nobel Prize to Venezuelans and Trump

Maria Corina Machado Dedicates Nobel Prize to Venezuelans and Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader honors the people and an international ally

In a move that underscores the polarized yet globally watched struggle for democracy in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dedicated her award to the people of Venezuela and to U.S. President Donald Trump for his “decisive support” of the country’s pro-democracy movement. The remarks came after the Nobel Committee recognized her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and her long-standing push for a peaceful transition away from dictatorship.

What Machado said and the context of the prize

On October 10, Machado posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” She added that they are “on the threshold of victory” and that the international community—particularly the United States, Latin American nations, and other democracies—should remain her principal allies in the struggle for freedom and democracy. The Nobel Committee highlighted her enduring commitment to democratic rights amid a political crisis that has placed Maduro’s government under intense scrutiny from domestic opponents and international observers.

Machado, in hiding, and the road to transition

Machado has been in hiding in Venezuela for about a year following elections that opposition supporters accuse President Nicolas Maduro of stealing. She campaigned on behalf of her stand-in, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a former diplomat viewed by many in the international community as the legitimate winner of the contest. Her decision to travel, lobby international actors, and persist with protests reflects a broader strategy by Venezuelan opposition leaders to gain global leverage for democratic reform.

The role of international support

Machado’s explicit praise of Mr. Trump signals a continued belief among some opposition factions that external pressure can catalyze a transition. The White House quickly amplified the moment, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharing Machado’s post recognizing the president’s role in supporting Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. Critics, however, warn that external military or diplomatic pressure can have mixed outcomes, potentially affecting civilians and political dynamics in unpredictable ways.

Reactions from Venezuelan and regional voices

Reaction to Machado’s Nobel prize recognition and her dedication to Trump has been mixed. Fellow opposition leaders, including former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, congratulated the laureate and framed the prize as a platform to push for peace and the restoration of freedom. Capriles wrote on X that the award should help Venezuela leave behind suffering and regain democracy. International observers lauded Machado’s courage while emphasizing the need for a peaceful, lawful transition that respects human rights and the rule of law.

What’s next for Venezuela’s democracy movement?

With Machado’s prize drawing global attention, the question remains how the movement will navigate domestic risks while maintaining international solidarity. Pro-democracy factions are likely to continue pressing for credible elections, independent judgment of electoral processes, and accountable governance. The Nobel acknowledgment may bolster their case for international engagement and monitoring, but the path to meaningful reform will depend on Caracas’ willingness to engage with political adversaries through transparent dialogue and lawful channels.

Conclusion

Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize victory, coupled with her dedication to Trump, underscores a complex web of advocacy, international dynamics, and the enduring quest for democracy in Venezuela. As regional voices weigh in and global actors reassess their strategies, the prize serves as both recognition of decades-long effort and a prompt to renew commitments to peaceful, democratic change.