New York – The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, announced on Friday, was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The laureate immediately used her platform to thank former U.S. President Donald Trump for his “decisive support” of Venezuela’s democratic struggle.
Machado celebrated the win on X, writing, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” Her post highlighted the growing U.S.‑Venezuela partnership that critics say has helped keep the regime under pressure.
Trump has long touted his role in ending global conflicts, citing the India‑Pakistan cease‑fire and recent diplomatic moves in the Middle East. Although he was one of several U.S. nominees, the Nobel Committee in Norway closed nominations on January 31, well before Trump’s more active involvement in Latin‑American diplomacy. A Norwegian panel chose Machado in a highly publicized decision, saying she is “making a tireless effort to strengthen democratic rights.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung took to X to criticize the committee, saying the Nobel body “puts politics over peace.” Trump shrugged the comment away, reposting Machado’s message on Truth Social. The president celebrated his role as a champion of democratic allies across the Americas.
The jury’s choice also sent a clear message against the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013 and faces accusations of running a narco‑terrorist regime. Machado has denied Maduro’s right to run in last year’s election and has become a symbol of opposition hope, especially after his supporters warned of a “narco‑terrorist structure of cooperation.”
U.S. officials, both under Trump and the previous administration, have intensively targeted Maduro’s networks with naval patrols and targeted strikes aimed at cutting off drug smuggling routes. Critics say these actions help protect both Venezuelan civilians and U.S. citizens from violence. According to Machado, Trump’s actions “save not only Venezuelan lives, but also the lives of the American people.”
At the time of the award, the Nobel Committee noted how Venezuela had slipped from a relatively democratic, prosperous nation to a severe economic crisis, “where most citizens live in deep poverty while a few at the top enrich themselves.” The committee received 338 nominations, 244 from individuals and 94 from organizations, and deliberately avoided selecting groups that might oppose U.S. policy.
The award has stirred mixed reactions. Trump supporters view it as a vindication of his foreign policy record, while critics point to the prize’s alignment with U.S. interests and its symbolic stance against authoritarianism.
In the broader context, Venezuela’s political turmoil remains a key concern for international observers. Machado’s victory, coupled with Trump’s ongoing diplomatic pressure, indicates that the U.S. remains a central player in the region’s quest for democratic resilience.
Source: ianslive
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