US President Donald Trump is set to meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House, in a high-profile diplomatic encounter that underscores Washington’s renewed focus on Venezuela’s prolonged political crisis.
According to BBC News, the meeting comes months after Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in mobilising Venezuela’s democratic opposition and challenging the long-standing rule of President Nicolás Maduro. In a notable gesture, Machado publicly offered to share the honour with Trump, an accolade the US president has openly said he desires.
Machado, who emerged as the central figure of Venezuela’s opposition following disputed elections and widespread allegations of repression, has become an international symbol of resistance against authoritarian governance in Caracas. Her invitation to the White House marks one of the strongest public endorsements yet of her leadership by the Trump administration.
US officials say the talks will focus on democratic reforms, human rights, sanctions policy, and Venezuela’s economic collapse, which has driven millions to flee the country over the past decade.
The meeting is also expected to send a clear signal to the Maduro government that Washington continues to recognise the opposition’s legitimacy and is prepared to apply diplomatic and economic pressure in support of political change.
Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize win elevated her global standing and intensified scrutiny on Venezuela’s political stalemate. Her suggestion that Trump deserved recognition alongside her was widely interpreted as a strategic move to strengthen US backing for the opposition cause. Trump has, in the past, expressed frustration at being overlooked by the Nobel Committee, frequently citing his foreign policy efforts as deserving of the prize.
During his presidency, Trump pursued a hardline approach toward Venezuela, imposing sweeping sanctions on the Maduro government while backing opposition movements. Analysts say the upcoming meeting could signal a revitalised US strategy, potentially combining diplomatic engagement with continued economic pressure.
Critics warn that sanctions have also worsened humanitarian conditions for ordinary Venezuelans, and any future US action will need to balance political objectives with humanitarian concerns.
The White House talks are likely to be closely watched across Latin America, where governments remain divided over how to engage with Caracas. For Machado, the meeting represents a significant boost to her international legitimacy at a time when Venezuela’s opposition is seeking to maintain momentum and unity.
The White House has not yet released a detailed agenda for the meeting, but officials described it as part of broader efforts to support democratic governance in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump says US will oversee Venezuela until ‘safe transition’
