President Donald Trump has been keeping his distance from Venezuela’s opposition figure, María Corina Machado, a move reportedly influenced by her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize—a prestigious accolade Trump has long desired for himself.

Insiders from the White House have disclosed to the Washington Post that Trump’s dissatisfaction stems from his belief that Machado should have declined the prize. According to a source familiar with Trump’s mindset, “If she had refused it, saying ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she might have been president of Venezuela by now.” This acceptance, the source added, was considered an “ultimate sin” by Trump.

Despite Machado later dedicating the award to Trump, it appears the gesture was too little, too late to mend fences.

Recently, Trump mentioned he has not yet reached out to Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, following the military coup that unseated Nicolás Maduro from power.

Just a day prior, Trump expressed skepticism about Machado’s chances, suggesting that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader” and claiming she lacks the necessary support and respect within Venezuela. These remarks reportedly took Machado’s team by surprise, as shared by those close to her.

In last year’s election, Machado’s proxy, Edmundo González, garnered over two-thirds of the vote, a result Maduro failed to acknowledge by refusing to relinquish his position.

US officials say Venezuela’s vast oil wealth offers both an incentive for Rodríguez to engage with Trump and a source of leverage if she doesn’t. 

Operation ‘Absolute Resolve,’ which achieved Maduro’s military removal, comes as Trump issues compounding threats to Cuba, Colombia and Iran, warning they ‘should be very careful’ following his military success in Caracas.

The operation was a success and remained a secret until Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured. Trump posted this picture of Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima on Saturday

Smoke rises from explosions in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026 

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Courthouse this morning

In Venezuela, the armed forces have recognized Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, as acting president.

People close to Machado say their team was caught off guard by Trump’s comments.

Some have taken to social media to defend her –– including Republicans. 

Representative Carlos Gimenez said in an interview that Machado would win an election if it were held today. 

Florida Republican Representatives María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart also held a press conference in Doral on January 3 to forcefully reaffirm their support for Machado.

Salazar, a longtime ally who frequently refers to Machado as Venezuela’s ‘Iron Lady,’ has made note that any democratic transition must occur ‘under the leadership of María Corina Machado.’

Díaz-Balart also shut down suggestions that she lacked respect by declaring that ‘the next democratically elected President of Venezuela is going to be María Corina Machado.’

Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suggested Trump threw Machado ‘under the bus,’ over the Nobel Peace Prize.

‘Is he that petty? … I was genuinely surprised and disappointed by his dismissive remarks about her,’ McFaul said. 

A former White House staffer is also calling the president’s reasoning ‘petty.’

‘The reason it’s not Machado, is Trump is petty! Machado took his Nobel Peace Prize,’ the former Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council wrote on X. 

US officials argue that Venezuela’s vast oil wealth cuts both ways for Rodríguez—offering a powerful reason to engage with Trump, and a potent source of pressure if she does not.

Operation ‘Absolute Resolve,’ the military removal of Maduro, comes as Trump makes compounding threats to other countries on the heels of his military success in Caracas – saying Cuba, Colombia and Iran should be very careful.