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Machado Snubs Spain’s Sánchez, Defends Nobel Gift to Trump in Madrid

The choice signals a pivot to conservative allies abroad.

People attend a global march in support of Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in Madrid, Spain, December 6, 2025. REUTERS/Ana Beltran/File Photo
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado reacts before receiving the Golden Key of the City of Madrid from Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida in Madrid, Spain, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures during a press conference, as part of her visit to Spain, in Madrid, Spain, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says Trump deserved her Nobel medal for 'risking' American lives to oust strongman Nicolas Maduro

Overview

  • Machado, speaking in Madrid on Saturday, said she had no regrets about giving her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump after the U.S. operation that seized Nicolás Maduro.
  • She declined an offered meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, citing his progressive leaders’ summit in Barcelona as proof the timing was not opportune.
  • During the Spain visit she met conservative figures, received Madrid’s regional gold medal from Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was given the city’s keys by Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and drew a large rally of Venezuelan supporters.
  • Machado said she is in permanent contact with U.S. officials to coordinate her return to Venezuela and pressed for a clear election calendar to guide a transition.
  • Context for the push: Maduro remains in U.S. custody as interim leader Delcy Rodríguez stays in office beyond the initial 90 days, while the U.S., the IMF, and the World Bank reopen channels to Caracas through eased sanctions and renewed financing.