US President Donald Trump is set to meet with María Corina Machado, the opposition leader who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, at the White House on Thursday. The meeting comes after Maduro's capture by US forces earlier this month, which has led to a power vacuum in Venezuela.
Despite initially being recognized as Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has largely been sidelined by the White House. Instead, Trump has taken an unusual approach, with Rodríguez now serving as the de facto leader of the country.
Trump has expressed frustration at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize himself and has reportedly questioned Machado's domestic standing. However, her influence on the administration may lie in her ability to promote democracy and human rights, a cause for which she was awarded the Nobel prize.
The meeting between Trump and Machado is seen as a crucial moment in Venezuela's transition. While Rodríguez has been working closely with the Trump administration, Machado faces an uphill battle to regain control of the government.
Machado has expressed her desire to "share" the Nobel Prize with Trump, but the prize is non-transferable. Her attempts to align herself with the US administration have reportedly hurt her standing within the opposition.
The meeting between Trump and Rodríguez also marks a significant shift in Venezuela's relations with the US. The two leaders have forged a working relationship, with agreements on oil exports and safeguarding revenue.
However, critics argue that Venezuela still faces significant challenges, including the ongoing detention of political prisoners, estimated to be as many as 1,000 people. Machado's opposition movement has been slow to release these individuals, raising concerns about its commitment to human rights.
The meeting between Trump and Machado is a test of the administration's resolve in supporting democratic institutions in Venezuela. The outcome will have significant implications for the country's future and its relations with the US.
Despite initially being recognized as Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has largely been sidelined by the White House. Instead, Trump has taken an unusual approach, with Rodríguez now serving as the de facto leader of the country.
Trump has expressed frustration at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize himself and has reportedly questioned Machado's domestic standing. However, her influence on the administration may lie in her ability to promote democracy and human rights, a cause for which she was awarded the Nobel prize.
The meeting between Trump and Machado is seen as a crucial moment in Venezuela's transition. While Rodríguez has been working closely with the Trump administration, Machado faces an uphill battle to regain control of the government.
Machado has expressed her desire to "share" the Nobel Prize with Trump, but the prize is non-transferable. Her attempts to align herself with the US administration have reportedly hurt her standing within the opposition.
The meeting between Trump and Rodríguez also marks a significant shift in Venezuela's relations with the US. The two leaders have forged a working relationship, with agreements on oil exports and safeguarding revenue.
However, critics argue that Venezuela still faces significant challenges, including the ongoing detention of political prisoners, estimated to be as many as 1,000 people. Machado's opposition movement has been slow to release these individuals, raising concerns about its commitment to human rights.
The meeting between Trump and Machado is a test of the administration's resolve in supporting democratic institutions in Venezuela. The outcome will have significant implications for the country's future and its relations with the US.