Trump meets Machado: Will he award him the Nobel Peace Prize?

In a significant development regarding the complex Venezuelan situation, a senior US official announced that President Donald Trump will hold a crucial meeting next Thursday with Venezuelan opposition leader and Maria Corina Machado . This meeting comes amidst controversial remarks from the US president, in which he hinted that Machado might dedicate her prize to him, stating that he "deserves it more than anyone else."

Background of the Venezuelan scene and the rapid transformations

This meeting comes at a highly sensitive time for the Venezuelan political landscape, especially after the recent dramatic developments surrounding the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro , who is currently imprisoned in the United States. This event has created a political vacuum and a shift in the balance of power, with Delcy Rodríguez assuming the interim presidency.

Historically, Venezuela has suffered from crippling political and economic crises, and Machado was a prominent voice of the opposition, which led to her persecution and forced her to flee the country last December. Despite her symbolic status as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the current US administration has adopted a pragmatic approach that deviates from traditional expectations.

Political realism: Washington chooses to deal with the current regime

Despite the anticipated meeting with the opposition leader, the White House has clearly defended its current strategy of engaging with the ruling party in Caracas, led by Delcy Rodríguez. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt told Fox News that the president and his national security team's decision stemmed from a "realistic assessment" of events on the ground.

Levitt confirmed that there is a "significant amount of cooperation" from current Venezuelan officials, which explains why Washington has so far excluded Machado from assuming direct leadership responsibilities, as Trump had previously stated, shortly after Maduro's arrest, that Machado was "not qualified to lead her country.".

Dimensions of the meeting and its expected effects

This meeting carries profound political implications that go beyond a mere commemorative photo or talk about the Nobel Prize:

• On the domestic level: The meeting may send conflicting messages to the Venezuelan public, between supporting the symbolic opposition and dealing realistically with the ruling authority, which may reshape opposition alliances within the country.
• On a regional level: Latin American countries are watching this shift in US policy, as Trump’s new approach reflects a prioritization of security and economic interests over traditional ideological positions.
• On the international level: The meeting highlights the United States' continued role as a "kingmaker" in its backyard, focusing on resolving outstanding issues through unconventional methods, including leveraging "award diplomacy" and personal pressure.

The most prominent question remains: Will this meeting be the beginning of integrating the opposition into the new political process, or is it merely a protocol step to enhance the image of the American president as a global peacemaker worthy of international appreciation?