Machado Says She'll Be Venezuela's President "When The Right Time Comes" — Presents Nobel Medal To Trump As U.S. Backs Delcy Rodríguez

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she believes she will be elected president "when the right time comes," expressing confidence after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The meeting came amid a tense reshuffling of U.S. support in Caracas: the White House has signaled short-term backing for Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, following a reported January 3 U.S. military operation tied to the upheaval around Nicolás Maduro.

Machado's Message and Claims

Speaking on Fox News's Fox & Friends after the meeting, Machado said,

"I believe I will be elected when the right time comes as president of Venezuela, the first woman president."

Her party has presented evidence alleging that Nicolás Maduro stole the 2024 election — a claim supported by Washington and many in the international community, according to the original reporting.

Nobel Medal Gesture

In a high-profile gesture, Machado, 58, presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump during their White House lunch. "He deserves it," she said, calling the moment emotional and explaining she offered the medal "on behalf of the people of Venezuela." It was not immediately clear whether Trump retained the medal; the Norwegian Nobel Committee has said its prizes cannot be transferred.

U.S. Position And Rodriguez

Despite Machado's hopes, the White House has indicated concern about her level of domestic support. Reports say Trump has opted to back Delcy Rodríguez as an interim leader for the short term, conditioned on cooperation over access to Venezuela's oil reserves and other U.S. interests. Rodríguez has pushed back against perceived U.S. pressure, saying her government will confront Washington diplomatically and pursue political dialogue.

International Signals And Context

The New York Times reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Rodríguez, which, together with the White House statements, suggested that Washington currently views Rodríguez as the favored short-term partner. Meanwhile, Maduro remains detained in a New York jail on drug-trafficking charges, and Rodríguez delivered his state-of-the-nation address to Venezuela's parliament in his absence.

Public Reaction

Machado, who campaigned for years to remove Maduro from power, was greeted by jubilant supporters in Washington. Her dramatic departure from Venezuela — including reports she fled by boat to collect the Nobel in Oslo — has added a dramatic element to her international profile.

Note: This article summarizes the key claims and reported developments from the original reporting. Some details reflect statements attributed to the parties and media reports referenced in the original piece.