> At a Glance
> – President Donald Trump refuses to support María Corina Machado after she won the Nobel Peace Prize he coveted
> – White House insiders say Machado’s October award doomed her leadership chances
> – Why it matters: The rift could shape Venezuela’s political future as Trump warns interim leader Delcy Rodríguez
A Nobel Peace Prize that María Corina Machado dedicated to Donald Trump may have cost her the Venezuelan presidency, according to sources close to the White House.
The Prize That Changed Everything
Machado, 58, received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 for her democratic activism. Trump had openly campaigned for the award, claiming credit for ending “seven unendable wars.”
A White House source told News Of Los Angeles:
> “If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today.”
Fallout in Caracas
Trump dismissed Machado’s leadership prospects on Saturday, claiming she “doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.”
Her stand-in candidate Edmundo González had captured more than two-thirds of the vote in last year’s election, yet Nicolás Maduro refused to step down.
Key developments since the prize announcement:
- U.S. forces detained Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores early Saturday
- Delcy Rodríguez, 56, became interim leader
- Trump warned Rodríguez she faces a “very big price” if she fails to steer an “orderly” transition
What Comes Next
A Venezuelan business leader told News Of Los Angeles that U.S. officials have recently shown more interest in Rodríguez, viewing her as pragmatic and open to economic reform.
Venezuelan opposition figures acknowledge the tension but accept it as part of transition politics.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s Nobel loss appears to have hardened his stance toward Machado
- The administration is now focused on Rodríguez’s next moves
- Venezuela’s political future hinges on whether Rodríguez reforms or continues Maduro’s path
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that direct talks with Rodríguez may happen “at the right time,” leaving the door open for future engagement.
