Trump Plans to Meet Venezuelan Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado in Washington

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to host Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in Washington next week, confirming that the two are expected to meet amid ongoing political developments in Venezuela. Machado, a key figure in her country’s opposition movement and the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, has reportedly expressed her intention to visit the United States soon, though details of the itinerary and agenda remain sparse.

Speaking in a televised interview, Trump said he understands Machado will arrive “sometime” next week and expressed anticipation for the meeting, describing it as an opportunity to “say hello” to her. In the same interview, Trump acknowledged Machado’s offer to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him, calling the notion “a great honour.” However, prize officials have noted that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred or jointly awarded once announced, though laureates are free to donate the prize money if they choose.

Machado emerged as a prominent international figure after her detention and subsequent flight from Venezuela, culminating in her being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025 for her activism and advocacy for democratic reform in her homeland. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and resistance to authoritarian rule.

Despite embracing the applause on the global stage, Machado and Trump have not always been aligned politically. Trump has previously expressed skepticism about Machado’s domestic support in Venezuela, suggesting she lacks sufficient backing within the country to lead a stable government following the US-backed removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has argued that Venezuela is not yet ready to hold credible elections and highlighted the need to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure before democratic processes can be fully restored.

The anticipated Washington meeting comes at a critical juncture in Venezuelan politics, following a controversial US military operation in early January that captured Maduro and his wife, and ushered in a transitional phase under interim leadership. This shift has left questions about the country’s political future and leadership unresolved.

Further complicating the landscape, Machado has publicly praised US intervention for its role in ending Maduro’s rule, though she has also emphasised her commitment to returning to Venezuela and leading a democratic transition despite ongoing security challenges. Recent statements indicate that she has not spoken directly with Trump since October 2025, raising curiosity about how substantive their upcoming discussions might be.

The White House has not yet disclosed specific agenda items for the planned meeting, leaving observers to speculate whether discussions will focus on Venezuela’s political transition, economic recovery, human rights priorities, or US–Venezuela relations more broadly. Machado’s visit underscores her rising international profile and the complex interplay between US foreign policy objectives and Venezuela’s internal dynamics.

The outcome of next week’s interaction may offer insights into how Washington envisions its role in Venezuela’s future and whether Machado’s leadership ambitions will find support among US policymakers at this pivotal moment.