María Corina Machado Wants to 'Personally' Give Her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump Following Maduro’s Capture

The Inquisitr

In an extraordinary turn of events following the January 3, 2026, capture of Nicolás Maduro, María Corina Machado—the Venezuelan opposition leader and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize—has publicly offered to "share" or give her prize to President Donald Trump.  Appearing on Hannity on January 5, 2026, Machado hailed the U.S. military operation, "Operation Absolute Resolve," as a "milestone for humanity" and suggested that the President’s decisive action in removing Maduro made him the true heir to the honor.  Inside the Nobel Controversy: The "Shared" Honor: During her Fox News interview, Machado stated, "I would certainly love to be able to personally tell him that we believe the Venezuelan people... certainly want to give [the Nobel Peace Prize] to him and share it with him."  The "Ultimate Sin": The offer comes amid reports from The Washington Post that the President was privately "fuming" because Machado accepted the prize in October 2025 rather than refusing it in his favor. Sources claimed Trump viewed her acceptance as a personal slight, leading to his recent public doubts about her ability to lead Venezuela.   "Trust the People": Responding to Trump's claim that she "doesn't have the respect" to run the country, Machado urged the President to "trust the Venezuelan people," citing her coalition's landslide victory in the 2024 election.  The Delcy Rodríguez Pivot: While Machado offers her Nobel prize, the Trump administration has notably moved to work with former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as an interim leader, a move that has left the pro-democracy opposition "twisting in the wind."  A History of Dedication: Machado has consistently aligned herself with Trump, having dedicated the prize to him immediately upon its announcement on October 10, 2025, calling his support "decisive."  As Machado plans her return to Caracas from hiding, this "Nobel diplomacy" highlights the complex and often personal nature of the 2026 alliance between the White House and the Venezuelan opposition.

Transcript

00:00It was a very dangerous operation.

00:02It was amazing that we had a few injured, but all are in good shape right now.

00:07But I knew there was great danger.

00:09You got off the helicopter, the helicopters were being shot at.

00:13They got on the ground with amazing, amazing talent and tremendous patriotism, bravery.

00:21The bravery was incredible, Lindsay.

00:23They got off the helicopter and the bullets would fly all over the place.

00:27As you know, one of the helicopters got hit pretty badly, but we got everything back.

00:32We got everything back and nobody killed.

00:35It has been only days since U.S. forces carried out a swift raid inside Venezuela,

00:39seizing President Nicolas Maduro from a military base and transporting him to a prison in Brooklyn.

00:44The operation has drawn praise from many supporters of President Donald Trump,

00:48even as it raises new questions about America's role abroad.

00:51Several Trump voters interviewed by the Associated Press

00:53described the raid as decisive and effective in its early stages.

00:57In Michigan, Trump supporter Aaron Tobin said the mission felt cinematic

01:00and predicted it would inspire films for years to come.

01:04Others pointed to the speed of the operation

01:05and the absence of reported U.S. casualties as reasons for their approval.

01:10The intervention has also prompted unease within parts of Trump's political base.

01:14During his campaign, the president pledged to avoid new foreign entanglements.

01:17The Venezuela raid, conducted without congressional approval,

01:20marks a rare use of force deep in South America.

01:22Across the country, supporters expressed conditional backing.

01:26In Pennsylvania, some said they support the president so far,

01:30while cautioning that prolonged involvement or escalation would test that support.

01:34Younger voters raised concerns about potential costs,

01:36including the risk of war and its impact on service members.

01:39In Colorado, Trump voters praised the operation's efficiency,

01:43but emphasized that their support would fade if U.S. troops were drawn into a long-term conflict.

01:47Others described the move as contrary to Trump's campaign message,

01:51though possibly warranted in this case.

01:53Few interviewees focused on Venezuela's oil or future governance.

01:57Most framed the raid as the removal of an authoritarian leader

02:00and a signal to governments viewed as hostile to the United States.

02:03In interviews with the Associated Press,

02:05many supporters said they were impressed by the speed and execution of the operation,

02:09while adding that their support would depend on what follows.

02:11You've been in the

02:24AACC-O's, you've been in the

02:27U.S.

02:27With U.S.

02:28With U.S.

02:30With U.S.

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