Venezuelan leader dedicates award to U.S. president, citing his support for democracy

Corina Machado, 58, a Venezuelan opposition leader who won this year's Nobel Peace Prize, repeatedly expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, 79.

In an interview with the Spanish-language edition of the BBC in the UK on the 11th, local time, Machado said, "I am grateful for the work President Trump is doing for peace around the world."

She added that after receiving the Nobel Prize, she spoke with Trump and "conveyed how grateful the Venezuelan people are for the work President Trump is doing not only for the Americas but also for peace, freedom, and democracy around the world."

Machado emphasized that winning the Nobel Peace Prize has injected energy into her political movement, which aims to restore democracy in Venezuela and end dictatorship.

"The award gives energy, hope, and strength to the Venezuelan people and makes us realize we are not alone," she said. "Democrats around the world are joining our struggle." She continued, "I believe President Trump and the international community are already helping with Venezuela's political situation."

Machado urged, "The Venezuelan regime is a criminal organization structure that relies on illicit funds from illegal activities to sustain itself. The international community must cut off those financial flows used for corruption, repression, violence, and terrorism."

She added, "If we stop the flow of funds from drug trafficking, gold and arms smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal oil trade, the regime will collapse. We are already seeing cracks deepen."

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the day before, "A woman who has kept the flame of democracy alive even in the darkest of times," selecting Machado as this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Machado has led a pro-democracy movement for over a decade against the dictatorship of long-serving President Nicolás Maduro. Last year, she was nominated as the opposition's unified presidential candidate, but the Maduro regime-controlled Supreme Court barred her from running by stripping her of her right to stand for public office for 15 years. She is currently believed to be in hiding within the country.

Shortly after the award, she also wrote on social media (X, formerly Twitter), "I am grateful for the support of President Trump, the U.S., Latin American countries, and free democracies worldwide. I dedicate this award to the suffering Venezuelan people and to President Trump, who has stood with our cause."

In response, President Trump said, "Machado told me, 'This award is for you,'" calling it "a very warm and moving gesture." Recently, the Trump administration has increased military deployments near Venezuelan waters, escalating tensions with the Maduro regime.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Machado Thanks Trump