September 17, 2026

Venezuela's Machado says she hasn't spoken to Trump since October

She welcomes the US actions as "a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity"

Venezuela's Machado says she hasn't spoken to Trump since October
A person holds up an image depicting Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, as people celebrate after the US struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Santiago, Chile Jan 3, 2026. REUTERS

bdnews24.com

Jasper Ward, Reuters

Published : 06 Jan 2026, 05:24 PM

Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:59 PM

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado said on Monday she hasn't spoken to US President Donald Trump since October 2025.

"Actually, I spoke with President Trump on October 10, the same day the (Nobel Peace) Prize was announced, (but) not since then," Machado said on Fox News' "Hannity" programme.

She was awarded the prize for her fight against what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called a dictatorship.

Machado - widely seen now deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's most credible opponent- left Venezuela last month to travel to Norway to accept the award, and hasn't returned since.

"I'm planning to go as soon as possible back home," she told Fox News when asked about her plans to return to Venezuela.

The interview was Machado's first since the US launched strikes on Venezuela on Saturday and captured its president.

She welcomed the US actions as "a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity."

Venezuela's vice president and oil minister Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president on Monday, but Washington's move over the weekend has left many to wonder about the future leadership of the South American country.

Trump on Saturday dismissed the idea of working with Machado, saying "she doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country."

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