Nobel Winner María Corina Machado Thanks Trump for Global Peace Efforts in Congratulatory Call.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Expresses Gratitude as She Receives 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy Nobel Peace Prize 2025. In an exclusive interview with BBC Mundo following her historic win, Machado revealed intimate details of a congratulatory phone call she received from U.S. President Donald Trump, in which she expressed profound appreciation for his international diplomatic efforts.

During the conversation, Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump for his “decisive support of our cause” Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Corina Machado Dedicates Award To Donald Trump | The Daily Caller, underscoring the significance of American backing in Venezuela’s ongoing struggle for democratic restoration. The 58-year-old opposition leader told the BBC that she conveyed to Trump “how grateful the Venezuelan people are for what he’s doing, not only in the Americas, but around the world for peace, for freedom, for democracy.”

A Voice Against Authoritarian Rule

Machado has long campaigned against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, whose rule has been widely contested María Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize: Full list of 2025 winners in each award category. Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, 2025, despite credible evidence that he lost the July 2024 presidential election, with the Venezuelan National Electoral Council refusing to publish detailed results Venezuela: Parliament to condemn Nicolás Maduro’s illegitimate reign | 20-01-2025 | News | European Parliament. The U.S. government and many international observers have declared that Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to claim the presidency Condemning Nicolás Maduro’s Illegitimate Attempt to Seize Power in Venezuela and Announcing New Actions Against Maduro and His Representatives and to Support the Venezuelan People – United States Department of State.

Maduro has maintained control of Venezuela since 2013, with his governance characterized by economic collapse, mass emigration, and allegations of human rights abuses. The European Parliament has condemned the regime of Nicolás Maduro as illegitimate, stating that his presidency constitutes an unlawful attempt to remain in power by force MEPs: support for Venezuela’s opposition is a “moral duty” | News | European Parliament.

An Emotional Moment of Recognition

In a video captured at the moment she learned of her Nobel Prize win, an emotional Machado said she was honored, humbled and grateful “on behalf of the Venezuelan people” Video shows moment Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado learns about honor: “I am just one person” – CBS News. The award represents not only personal recognition but also international acknowledgment of Venezuela’s democratic opposition movement, which has persisted despite severe government repression, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and forced disappearances of political dissidents.

Trump’s Nobel Ambitions

The timing of Machado’s award carries particular significance given President Trump’s well-documented interest in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize himself. Trump has regularly spoken about what he claims are seven wars he has ended during his presidency, positioning himself as a peacemaker on the global stage. The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize decision comes amid mounting speculation that Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts might earn him the honor White House Reacts to Donald Trump’s 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Snub – Newsweek, though the award ultimately went to Machado.

Despite not receiving the prize, Trump appeared gracious in his response. The president called Machado to congratulate her on her Nobel Peace Prize win Trump Congratulates Venezuela’s Machado on Nobel Peace Prize – Bloomberg, demonstrating continued support for Venezuela’s democratic opposition even as some White House officials privately expressed disappointment about the president being passed over for the award.

U.S.-Venezuela Relations and Democratic Support

The Trump administration has maintained a firm stance against the Maduro regime. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned eight Venezuelan officials who lead key economic and security agencies enabling Maduro’s repression and subversion of democracy in Venezuela Treasury Sanctions Venezuelan Officials Supporting Nicolas Maduro’s Repression and Illegitimate Claim to Power | U.S. Department of the Treasury, applying economic pressure in support of democratic transition.

Machado’s recognition by the Norwegian Nobel Committee amplifies international attention on Venezuela’s political crisis and legitimizes the opposition’s claims about electoral fraud and authoritarian overreach. Her dedication of the award to Trump reflects the critical role that U.S. policy has played in supporting Venezuela’s democratic opposition, from diplomatic recognition to economic sanctions targeting Maduro’s inner circle.

Looking Ahead

As Machado prepares to receive her award in Oslo, Norway, later this year, her message remains focused on the Venezuelan people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy. Her conversation with President Trump signals continued transatlantic cooperation in support of democratic movements in Latin America, with the United States maintaining its position that legitimate governance can only come through free and fair elections. The Nobel Committee’s decision to honor Machado sends a powerful message to authoritarian leaders worldwide while providing moral and political support to opposition movements fighting for democratic principles. For Machado, the prize represents validation of years of sacrifice and struggle—and renewed hope that Venezuela’s democratic future remains possible.