Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed her total reliance on U.S. support this Thursday, stating, “We are counting on President Trump for freedom in Venezuela.” This declaration came shortly after she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to the President during a meeting at the White House. Machado described the meeting as “great” and the gift as a recognition of Trump’s commitment to her country.
The presentation of the medal is a significant nod to Trump’s well-known desire for the Nobel Prize. While Machado handed over the physical award, the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that the distinction of being a laureate is permanent and cannot be transferred to others. The committee’s statement ensures that the historical record remains unchanged.
Machado framed the gift through the lens of history, comparing it to a medal given by the Marquis de Lafayette to Simon Bolivar. She described the act as the “people of Bolivar” returning the favor to the “heir of Washington.” This grand comparison seeks to elevate the relationship between the two leaders to a historic level.
However, the alliance is not without its fractures. Trump has previously questioned Machado’s fitness to lead and her ability to command respect. His administration has also engaged in aggressive negotiations with interim president Delcy Rodriguez regarding U.S. oil firms, using threats of force as leverage. This suggests Trump is keeping his options open regarding Venezuelan leadership.
Despite these challenges, Machado’s public comments were relentlessly positive. She assured reporters that Trump cares about the suffering in Venezuela and understands the situation on the ground. Her decision to part with her Nobel medal underscores the high stakes of her diplomatic mission and her need to secure unwavering U.S. backing.
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