Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented U.S. President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a White House meeting on Thursday, as the two discussed Venezuela’s political future despite Trump’s past doubts about her leadership prospects following the capture of then-President Nicolas Maduro in a U.S. military raid.
Visiting Trump presented something of a physical risk for Machado, whose whereabouts have been largely unknown since she left her country last year after being briefly detained in Caracas. Nevertheless, after a closed-door discussion with Trump, she greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the gates -stopping to hug many.
"We can count on President Trump,” she told them, prompting some to briefly chant "Thank you, Trump,” but she didn't elaborate.
The jubilant scene stood in contrast to Trump having repeatedly raised doubts about Machado and his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela. He has signaled his willingness to work with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was Maduro’s No. 2.
Along with others in the deposed leader’s inner circle, Rodríguez remains in charge of day-to-day government operations and was delivering her first state of the union speech during Machado's Washington trip.
