Maria Corina Machado to Meet President Trump

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Thursday, as confirmed by a White House official.

This follows her meeting in Rome on Monday with Pope Leo XIV and other senior officials from the Vatican, where they discussed the democratic transition in Venezuela and the urgent need for support in releasing political prisoners.

Machado recently received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her persistent efforts toward democracy and human rights in Venezuela. She had spent about 11 months in hiding from the Maduro regime before reappearing in December to accept the award in Oslo, Norway.

In a statement, she expressed her desire to share or dedicate the prize to President Trump, especially following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd.

After winning the award, she dedicated it to Trump and the Venezuelan people.

President Trump expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming meeting, stating it is an “honor” to be associated with her Nobel recognition, although his administration has not formally endorsed her as a potential leader for Venezuela.

“I’m going to have to speak to her. She might be involved in some aspect of it. I will have to speak to her. I think it’s very nice that she wants to come in. And that’s what I understand the reason is,” Trump noted.

Previously, Trump remarked that winning the Nobel Prize would be an “honor,” citing his achievements in ending multiple conflicts since taking office less than a year ago.

The meeting on Thursday will mark the first in-person conversation between Machado and Trump.