In a bold and unexpected move, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado may have discovered a novel approach to gaining favor with the United States in her quest for leadership in a post-Maduro Venezuela. The intriguing strategy involves offering her Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Machado has been actively seeking a meeting with Trump following a successful U.S. operation on January 3rd, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face narcoterrorism charges. This political development has sparked hope for change in the crisis-ridden nation.

Sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations have revealed to the Daily Mail that the discussions include Machado’s proposal to present Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize. This gesture is seen as a significant part of her strategy to cement ties with the U.S. leadership.

In December, Machado received the prestigious award in Oslo, Norway. She managed to reach the ceremony by donning a disguise to escape from her safe house in Venezuela, a testament to the perilous circumstances she has endured.

Trump has expressed that it would be a “great honor” to accept the Nobel Peace Prize if Machado opts to share it with him, though he has not formally requested it. Machado has already publicly dedicated the award to Trump, asserting that he “really deserved it,” signaling her appreciation for his support.

Having spent 16 months in hiding due to her status as a target of Maduro’s so-called “narco-regime,” Machado is now poised to discuss her potential role in Venezuela’s future leadership during the anticipated meeting with Trump. Her offer of the Nobel Peace Prize serves as a powerful symbol of her willingness to collaborate and pave the way for a new era in Venezuelan politics.

Hours after the special forces mission to capture Maduro, Trump announced that the US would ‘run’ the country with former vice president Delcy Rodriguez at the helm.

He also said at Saturday’s press briefing at Mar-a-Lago that Machado wouldn’t be a good leader because she didn’t have the ‘respect’ of the Venezuelan people.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is willing to offer-up her Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump garner favor in her pursuit to take a leadership role in the post-Maduro government

Trump said at his January 3, 2026 briefing that Machado wouldn’t be a good leader because she doesn’t have the ‘respect’ of the Venezuelan people – but reports emerged that he was actually upset because she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize award that he has coveted 

‘I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within – or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,’ Trump said after calling her a ‘very nice woman.’ 

But sourcing told the Washington Post that the real reason Trump didn’t give her the position was because he didn’t like that she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize – an award he has openly coveted for years. 

And Trump confirmed on Thursday that Machado is coming to Washington, DC next week for a sit-down. 

‘I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying “hello” to her,’ Trump said. ‘I heard that she wants to do that [with her peace prize] — it would be a great honor,’ he told Fox News personality Sean Hannity.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s wife and Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, whom the president is fond of, is pushing behind-the-scenes to make the meeting happen, Trump associates familiar with the dynamics told journalist Rachael Bade.

A very close advisor to Machado confirmed to the Daily Mail that the opposition leader is listening to Duffy’s advice.

‘When it comes to persuading the president, all the lobbying and special interest money in the world isn’t as powerful as having a program on Fox News,’ they said. ‘Rachel’s coverage of Maria Corina [Machado] and the story of Venezuela has been accurate and outstanding.’

The advisor added: ‘All the corrupt post-Maduro regime special interests are in a full blown panic that MCM’s standing is surging inside the White House.’ 

Trump says the US is working with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who was Nicolas Maduro’s vice president

Trump says that he wants the US to ‘run’ Venezuela for at least the next few years, and insists his government, working with industry partners, will now control the extraction and sale of the country’s oil.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller have been tasked with taking the lead on running Venezuela.

Rubio has held at least one call with Rodriguez, Trump confirmed over the weekend.