12.10.2025 12:58
The public reaction is growing against Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader in Venezuela who won the Nobel Peace Prize, due to her open support for Israel and her close ties with the Netanyahu government. Machado's request for support from Netanyahu to overthrow Venezuelan President Maduro, who is targeted by Trump, and her calling Trump immediately after receiving the award to dedicate it to him has drawn attention.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is in the international spotlight following her winning of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, due to her open support for Israel and her close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
REMOVED FROM OFFICE AND SENTENCED TO PRISON DURING MADURO PROTESTS
Born in 1967, Machado took leadership of the liberal center-right party "Vente Venezuela," which she founded in 2012 after her engineering education.
Having been at the forefront of the opposition against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for many years, Machado pursues a political line that emphasizes "close relations with the West and the USA."
In 2014, during nationwide protests against the Maduro administration, Machado was removed from office and given a short prison sentence, becoming known for defining her political stance by providing support to Israel.
The diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Israel were severed when former President Hugo Chavez expelled the Israeli ambassador following Israel's attacks on Gaza in 2009.
MACHADO SOUGHT SUPPORT FROM NETANYAHU TO OUST MADURO
According to media reports, Machado asked Netanyahu in 2018 to mediate with the United Nations Security Council for intervention in Venezuela. It was noted that Machado insisted she would restore diplomatic relations with Israel if she came to power.
In 2019, Machado shared a message of support for Israel on the social media platform of the US-based X company, stating, "On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, my message to the Jewish people: Venezuela's struggle is Israel's struggle."
OPENLY STATING HER SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
The Vente Venezuela Party, led by Machado, signed a "strategic cooperation agreement" with Israel's ruling party Likud in July 2020, two years later.
According to the text published on the party's official website, the agreement includes goals for joint work in political, ideological, social, strategic, and security areas.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Vente Venezuela by Machado and Likud's Director of Foreign Relations Eli Vered Hazan.
The text states that the parties aim to develop political cooperation based on common values such as "freedom, democracy, market economy, and the rule of law." Additionally, the agreement foresees the establishment of "operational partnerships" between the two parties to carry out not only theoretical but also practical joint projects.
Machado openly expresses her support for Israel in various interviews and rallies.
In an interview with Israeli media outlets, Machado stated, "When I govern Venezuela, my government will move our Israeli Embassy to Jerusalem."
SUPPORTED TEL AVIV GOVERNMENT DURING ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA
Starting from October 2023, Machado expressed her support for the Tel Aviv government during Israel's genocide process against Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, Machado emphasized her solidarity with the Israeli people in a post on her social media account.
During the conflicts between Iran and Israel in April 2024, Machado shared on the social media platform of the US-based X company, "I express my solidarity with the state and people of Israel against the direct attack of the Iranian regime."
CAIR'S REACTION TO MACHADO RECEIVING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
In a written statement made yesterday by CAIR, one of the largest Muslim civil rights advocacy organizations in the US, Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, was warned about her stance on Islamophobia and some other issues.
The statement requested Machado to "abandon her support for European fascism, the Likud Party, and Islamophobia."
It was stated that the Nobel Committee's decision to award "someone who supports Muslim anti-fascism and Israel's racist Likud Party" instead of those opposing the Gaza genocide is "unacceptable."
The statement included, "The Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to those who demonstrate moral consistency by bravely advocating for justice for all people, rather than to politicians who support racism, bigotry, and fascism abroad while demanding democracy in their own countries."
It was noted that the Nobel Committee's decision to recognize Machado, despite her support for such extremist movements, is an insult to potential Nobel candidates around the world who advocate for justice, including journalists, activists, and politicians who take great risks against the genocide in Gaza.
CAIR officials requested the Nobel Committee to reconsider its decision in light of this information.
TRUMP: HE CALLED ME AND SAID 'YOU DESERVE THE PEACE PRIZE'
In a press conference held at the White House, US President Trump stated that he spoke with Machado on the phone.
Trump emphasized that Machado was very kind to him throughout the conversation, saying, "The person who received the Nobel Prize today called me and said, 'I accept this award in your honor because you actually deserve it.'
Appreciating Machado's gesture, Trump said, "That was really a nice gesture. I didn't say, 'Then give the award to me,' but maybe she could have."
DEDICATED THE AWARD TO TRUMP
After winning the award, Machado stated on the US-based X social media platform that the award honors the struggle of Venezuelans.
Machado emphasized that they trust Trump and the American people as their main allies in the struggle for freedom and democracy, stating, "I dedicate this award to the suffering people of Venezuela and to Trump for his steadfast support of our cause."
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Machado for her fight to defend the democratic rights of Venezuela.