Maria Machado would ‘love to’ offer her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump after Maduro capture

The Venezuelan opposition leader expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his actions and said that 30 million people of Venezuela are finally closer to freedom.

Published on: Jan 6, 2026, 13:56:45 IST

By HT News Desk

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In the face of the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his indictment in a New York federal court, Venezuela's opposition leader hailed US President Donald Trump and said that she "would love to" offer her Nobel Peace Prize to him.

When Maria Machado's fight for freedom in Venezuela was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize, she dedicated it to Trump. (AFP/AP)

Machado said that January 3 will go down as a historic day when "justice defeated tyranny", referring to Maduro's capture from Caracas. The Venezuelan President and his wife are now awaiting trial on narco-terrorism charges. Follow live updates on US-Venezuela tensions

"January 3rd will go down in history as the day justice defeated tyranny. It's a milestone, and it's not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future; I think it's a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity," Machado said in an interview with Fox News.

ALSO READ | Trump not endorsing Venezuela's Maria Machado due to 'ultimate sin' of accepting Nobel Peace Prize: Report

Machado detailed how Venezuela would be completely freed, saying that the plan includes dismantling the criminal hub of the Americas and turning it into a security shield, turning Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas, and bringing millions of Venezuelans back home.

The Nobel winner's fight for Venezuela is not new. She has long fought against Maduro and opposed his 'dictatorship', and while she even won the primary election, she was barred by the government from contesting. Edmundo Gonzalez ultimately ran in her place. She told Fox News that while everyone thought it was impossible to carry out independent elections, they were able to bring the nation together.

"Cowardly, he feared us. He feared me, Maduro. So, he thought that by banning me, he would stop us from winning, but exactly the opposite happened," she added.

ALSO READ | ‘US fulfilled its promise’: Venezuela oppn leader Maria Corina Machado on Nicolas Maduro ‘capture’

When Machado's fight for freedom in Venezuela was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize, she dedicated it to Trump. "I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed at that point that he deserved it," she said.

"A lot of people, most people, said it was impossible to achieve what he has just done on Saturday, January 3. So, if I believe he deserved it in October, imagine now. I think he has proven to the world what he means," Machado added.

When asked if she offered her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump at any point, Machado responded, "It has not happened yet. I would love to be able to personally tell him -- certainly Venezuelan people want to give it to him."

ALSO READ | ‘Kidnapped since January 3’: What Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro said in US court hearing

She went on to heap further praise on Trump and said, "What he has done in his work is a huge step towards a democratic country."

Appreciating the Trump administration's actions, Machado expressed gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people, saying that his move to bring Maduro to justice means that 30 million Venezuelans are now closer to freedom, and that the US is also a safer country nowadays.

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HT News Desk
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