US President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who is expected to visit Washington next week.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, Trump said Machado’s trip would provide an opportunity for a personal meeting.
“I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her,” he said.
If the meeting goes ahead, it would mark the first direct engagement between Trump and Machado, coming shortly after a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
Just over a week ago, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to face trial on drug trafficking and weapons-related charges.
Despite the anticipated meeting, Trump has previously expressed doubts about Machado’s political standing within Venezuela, arguing that she lacks sufficient domestic support to govern the country. He has also suggested that the United States could exert long-term influence over Venezuela’s affairs.
On Thursday, Trump reiterated his position that Venezuela is not ready for fresh elections, citing the country’s fragile condition following years of political turmoil. Venezuela is currently under the leadership of interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
“We have to rebuild the country. They couldn’t have an election,” Trump said.
“They wouldn’t even know how to have an election right now.”
Machado, a prominent critic of the Maduro government, has publicly stated that she would be willing to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he deserved the prestigious award.
Reacting to the matter on Thursday, Trump described it as a “major embarrassment” for Norway that he had not been awarded the prize, which is decided by a Norwegian committee.
He also suggested that Machado could formally present the Nobel Prize to him during their meeting.
“I understand she wants to do that. That would be a great honor,” Trump said.
Source: AFP
