Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Reaches Out to Trump in Surprise Phone Call

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado called President Donald Trump after winning the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, telling him she was accepting the award in his honor because he "truly deserves it."

Trump shared details of the phone call with reporters in the Oval Office. "The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called me today and said: I'm accepting this as a tribute to you because you really deserve it," Trump said.

The president seemed pleased with the gesture but kept his response measured. "That was very nice. I didn't say 'then give it to me' although I think she probably would," he added.

Machado, a prominent Venezuelan political activist who has led opposition efforts against the Maduro government, dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to two recipients. "I dedicate this award to the suffering people of Venezuela and President Trump for his decisive support of our cause," she said.

The call highlights Trump's continued involvement in Venezuelan politics, where his administration previously imposed heavy sanctions on the Maduro regime and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate president. Machado's public acknowledgment of Trump's role could signal expectations for renewed U.S. pressure on Venezuela's government during his second term.

For investors and regional watchers, this connection suggests Venezuelan opposition groups expect stronger U.S. backing in their efforts to challenge Maduro's rule. That could mean more sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or support for opposition activities - all factors that typically affect oil markets and regional stability.