As promised, Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Prize to Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House. It was a purely symbolic gesture, especially since the Oslo Committee has already clarified that the prestigious award is non-transferable. But the opposition leader hopes it will help pave her way to governing Caracas, after years of fighting against Nicolas Maduro and the last elections won by his candidate Edmundo González Urrutia .
"Two hundred years ago, General Lafayette presented Simon Bolívar with a medal bearing the face of George Washington. Bolívar kept that medal for the rest of his life," Machado said, speaking to reporters after meeting with the tycoon and a visit to Capitol Hill. "Two hundred years later, Bolívar's people are returning a medal to Washington's heir, in this case the Nobel Peace Prize medal, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to our freedom," the leader added.
"It's a great honor for me to meet María Corina Machado today," Trump wrote on Truth. "An extraordinary woman who has faced so many challenges. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the work I've done. A wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, María!"
Surrounded by a crowd of supporters chanting her name, Machado reassured them that "we can count on Trump" and that the meeting with the president had gone "great." The road to Miraflores Palace, however, is still long. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has earned The Donald's respect in recent weeks thanks to the oil deal and the release of hundreds of political prisoners.
So far, she has "met all our requests," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized. "We had a great conversation, and she's a fantastic person," Trump said yesterday after a "long phone call" with Rodriguez. The American president also stated that he wanted to meet her soon and travel to Venezuela as soon as possible.
Conversely, ten days ago, she stifled Machado's aspirations, claiming he lacked the necessary "respect" and should step aside to facilitate the transition. It remains to be seen whether the award Trump has coveted for years can actually change the balance of power. For her part, Rodriguez, in a message to the nation, said she was willing to go to Washington "with the Italian flag in hand" to engage in a "diplomatic battle" with the United States. "If I ever go to Washington as interim president, I will do so with my head held high, walking, not crawling," she declared.
Venezuela, Trump alla prova del diritto internazionale
Meanwhile, Washington continues its war on sanctioned shadow vessels. The US Southern Command announced the seizure of the Veronica oil tanker in a dawn operation. "The only oil that will leave Venezuela will be that whose export is appropriately and legally coordinated," the Command stated, posting a video of the seizure on social media. This is the sixth such vessel seized in recent weeks. Also on the subject of oil, as part of the agreement reached with Caracas in January, the United States concluded the first sale, worth approximately $500 million. The proceeds were deposited in bank accounts controlled by the US government, including one in Qatar, as required by the agreement.
The White House described the agreement as a "historic energy deal." Meanwhile, Trump is considering hiring private military contractors to protect Venezuela's oil and energy infrastructure, thereby reassuring major companies. The US president has repeatedly reiterated his desire not to deploy American troops in the country, especially for a prolonged period. But to convince big oil to return to investment, the administration must demonstrate it can guarantee security not just for months, but for years.
(Unioneonline)