Venezuela’s leading opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met US President Donald Trump at the White House. This meeting took place on 15 January 2026, which was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders. During this, Machado presented his Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, which he handed over in honor of Trump’s efforts for the independence of Venezuela.
“We are counting on President Trump for the independence of Venezuela,” Machado told reporters as he emerged from the meeting. He described this meeting as historic, in which there was a detailed discussion about the future of Venezuela. Machado also said that the award symbolizes the struggle for freedom of the Venezuelan people and presented Trump with his Nobel Medal in recognition of his role.
Meeting after Maduro’s arrest
Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year (2025). This award was given because of his struggle for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. Since the announcement of this award, he had talked about giving credit to Trump. The Trump administration launched a US military operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This meeting took place just 11 days after Maduro’s arrest.
Trump called Machado a very good woman
US President Donald Trump posted on social media after the meeting that it was a great honor for him to meet Maria and called presenting the award a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. However, Trump called Machado a very good woman, but also commented that she did not have enough support and respect in the country.
The incident comes at a time when the US has taken control of Venezuela’s oil reserves and invited American companies to invest billions of dollars. Recently, Venezuela’s first oil deal worth $500 million was made. The political crisis continues in Venezuela, where opposition supporters are hoping to restore democracy from Trump and Machado.
A large number of Venezuelan supporters had gathered outside the White House, demanding their country’s independence and political change. Many supporters described Machado as Venezuela’s strongest leader. This meeting of the two leaders is being considered an important milestone in the discussion regarding the future of Venezuela, restoration of democracy and economic reconstruction.