U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly pulled his support from opposition leader María Corina Machado due to her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize.
According to two sources close to the White House, speaking to The Washington Post, although Machado dedicated the award to Trump, her acceptance of it was deemed an "unforgivable sin" by the former president, consequently sidelining her from a potential transition overseen by Washington.
"Had she refused it and declared, 'I cannot accept this because it rightfully belongs to Donald Trump,' she would be the president of Venezuela today," one source stated.
The Post also reports that Trump's recent remarks, which cast doubt on Machado's ability to govern Venezuela, surprised her team.
On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Machado as "fantastic" but noted she is no longer in Venezuela.
"María Corina Machado is fantastic, known her for a long time, as well as the entire movement, but we're facing immediate realities," Rubio commented during NBC's Meet the Press.
"The immediate reality is, unfortunately, and sadly, the vast majority of the opposition is no longer present in Venezuela. We have short-term issues that need urgent attention," he added, hinting at a possible opposition-led transition.
On Saturday, Trump expressed doubts about Machado’s ability to lead Venezuela.
"She doesn't have the [sufficient] support within the country, nor does she command respect within the country," Trump stated during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he detailed the operation that led to Nicolás Maduro’s removal from Caracas.
He also mentioned that she had not been contacted following the incident.
In response, Machado issued a statement to the Venezuelan people, asserting that "the time for freedom has arrived" and urging citizens to stay organized and active in the democratic transition process.
Dated January 3, 2026, her statement emphasized that Nicolás Maduro is facing international justice "for the heinous crimes committed against Venezuelans and citizens of many other nations," and highlighted that, given his refusal to accept a negotiated exit, the U.S. government has fulfilled its promise to uphold the law.
Trump and Venezuela Transition: Key Questions Answered
Why did Trump withdraw support from María Corina Machado?
Trump withdrew his support because Machado accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, which he considered an "unforgivable sin."
What was Marco Rubio's stance on María Corina Machado?
Marco Rubio described Machado as "fantastic" but noted that she is currently not in Venezuela, emphasizing the need to address immediate challenges.
How did María Corina Machado respond to Trump's actions?
Machado issued a statement to the Venezuelan public, declaring that "the time for freedom has arrived" and urging citizens to remain organized and active in the transition process.