On January 15, 2026, María Corina Machado, a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition, presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House. Machado characterized this gesture as a recognition of Trump's commitment to Venezuelan freedom, framing it within a historical context that recalls the partnership between the United States and Venezuela in their shared struggle for liberty.

Following the presentation, Trump expressed gratitude on social media, describing the event as a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect." This meeting occurred shortly after a U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the long-standing Venezuelan leader, who now faces federal drug trafficking charges in New York. Machado's interaction with Trump is seen as a strategic move to facilitate regime change in Venezuela, despite Trump's previous skepticism regarding her potential leadership role.

Machado has publicly supported U.S. military operations aimed at ousting Maduro, yet she has not addressed the humanitarian implications of such interventions, which have reportedly led to significant casualties. The political landscape in Venezuela remains fraught, with Machado's recent electoral victory annulled by Maduro's government, raising questions about her future and the broader struggle for democracy in the country.

In addition to her engagement with Trump, the U.S. government has begun managing Venezuelan oil proceeds, following the military operation that removed Maduro. The first transaction was valued at $500 million, with proceeds held in offshore accounts, a move that has drawn criticism regarding its legality and implications for Venezuelan sovereignty. The U.S. administration asserts that these actions are intended to restore Venezuela's oil infrastructure while protecting American interests, although the effectiveness of these strategies remains uncertain amid ongoing political and economic challenges.