María Corina Machado, one of the most visible and influential critics of Venezuela’s former dictator Nicolás Maduro, was in the news this week. She awarded her Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump while in a meeting at the White House. The Alameda County’s meeting was described by Machado as “historic” and “extraordinary.” It zeroed in on building U.S. popular support for her efforts to bring Venezuela increased democracy and freedom.
Last year, Machado was honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her years of work advocating for the democratic values of her country, Venezuela. To honor her people’s military service, she left her medal at the White House as a personal tribute on behalf of her people. She emphasized that the gesture recognized Trump’s “principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.” And the Oslo-based Nobel Peace Center quickly stressed that the medals can’t be split or transferred. This begs a deeper question about the implications of her deceiving actions.
On her visit, Machado emphasized the need to reestablish institutions, and safeguard human rights and freedom of expression in Venezuela. She made the symbolic gesture of presenting her Nobel medal. Nonetheless, Trump was not explicit in endorsing her leadership aspirations. Machado made the argument that Venezuela now has a president elect—Edmundo González. To ensure this, he demanded a new, authentic electoral process to motivate Venezuelans to come back home.
After her meeting with Trump, Machado spent some time at the Capitol meeting with U.S. senators. She was unrelenting in her pursuit for backers for her political aspirations. At the same time, many observers lamented accusations of bad faith around her candidacy.
“Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect,” – Donald Trump
Machado departed the White House smiling, with a Trump-branded goody bag. Her meeting didn’t lead to an explicit pledge of assistance from the Trump administration. The very real complexities to her role in Venezuela’s political future. She now finds herself in a battle with another opposition figure to assume leadership in a post-Maduro landscape.
