Nobel laureate Maria, who beat Trump to get Peace Prize, once thanked him
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Prize laureate, Maria Corina Machado, had publicly thanked US President Donald Trump, who was lobbying for the award. She thanked Trump for "decisive action to dismantle the criminal and terrorist structure that is illegitimately holding onto power in our country". In November 2024, US recognised opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as President-elect.