Trump Sidelines Nobel Winner Machado in Venezuela Transition Plan

Venezuelan Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado Left Out of Trump’s Transition Plans

A Sudden Snub for a Celebrated Opponent

In a move that surprised Venezuela’s opposition, President Donald Trump ruled out collaboration with María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader, as the United States outlined plans for a political transition in Venezuela. While calling Machado “a nice woman,” Trump cited her limited support inside the country and suggested that she would struggle to lead a transitional government. Instead, the US plans to engage with Delcy Rodríguez, President Nicolás Maduro’s second-in-command.

For Machado and her allies, who have spent years fighting Maduro’s regime from within Venezuela, the announcement was both shocking and disheartening. Sources close to the opposition described the decision as leaving them “stunned,” though some hold out hope for eventual inclusion in transition talks.

Machado’s Steadfast Opposition

Before leaving Venezuela to accept her Nobel Prize, Machado had been living in hiding, refusing to leave her country even as she urged the international community to condemn Maduro for human rights abuses and election tampering. She and her coalition had been preparing a detailed plan for a smooth transition, envisioning steps such as:

• Immediate celebrations following Maduro’s departure

• Taking control of state institutions

• Securing backing from military officers

Despite these preparations, Trump’s public remarks altered the trajectory of any immediate collaboration. Machado had called for Edmundo González, the 76-year-old diplomat she backed in the 2024 election, to assume office as commander-in-chief, emphasizing restoring order, freeing political prisoners, and jumpstarting economic recovery.

Mixed Signals from Washington

Trump’s comments left Machado’s team navigating a confusing landscape. He acknowledged congratulating her after her Nobel win but later downplayed knowledge of her achievements, calling her merely a “very generous” and “nice woman.”

Machado, however, has longstanding ties to US advisers in foreign policy and national security, and her team believes her influence could grow as plans develop. During the US military buildup in the Caribbean last August, she reportedly maintained contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his staff, and members of Congress, supporting administration actions while avoiding commentary on airstrikes or casualties.

Economic Stakes: Oil and Opportunity

Trump also emphasized potential US investments in Venezuela’s oil industry, promising billions to repair infrastructure he described as “rotten,” presenting it as a chance to benefit both Americans and Venezuelans. Machado’s economic vision, dubbed “Land of Grace,” similarly calls for reforming the state-owned oil giant Petróleos de Venezuela SA, opening operations to private investment while maintaining regulatory oversight. Analysts suggest Trump’s public stance on oil may be a strategic move to pressure the opposition into aligning with US priorities.

A Pragmatic Path or a Missed Opportunity?

Advisers within the Trump administration reportedly view engagement with Rodríguez as a lower-risk route for Venezuela, aiming for a gradual transition rather than a sudden power shift to Machado or González. While less disruptive, this approach leaves the opposition grappling with the reality that international recognition and practical leverage may come on Washington’s terms, not theirs.

For now, Machado and her supporters remain in a waiting game, watching from the sidelines as US and Venezuelan political strategies unfold. Her spokespersons and González’s office have yet to respond to inquiries, leaving many questions unanswered about what role, if any, Machado will play in shaping Venezuela’s future.

This story captures not just a diplomatic pivot but the tension between principled opposition leadership and the realpolitik of foreign intervention, underscoring how even internationally celebrated figures like Machado can find themselves sidelined in high-stakes political maneuvers.