Carrie Cahn

She told reporters she presented it to him as, quote, recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.

Trump did confirm he accepted it on social media.

He wrote, Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done.

Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.

Machado has been trying to curry favor with Trump since she received the prize.

Trump has long bemoaned not being awarded it.

After the U.S.

capture of Maduro, Trump shockingly announced he was not backing Machado.

He said she didn't have the support or respect within Venezuela whatsoever.

Recent polling by Bloomberg and The Economist shows she still has substantial support, and her party is widely believed to have won the disputed 2024 presidential election by a landslide.

The timing was extraordinary.

Rodriguez gave a scheduled state of the nation speech.

She was stepping in for deposed President Maduro.

Rodriguez has been walking this balancing act.

She tries to appease hardliners in the government with defiant talk while also making sure not to upset Trump.

And yesterday, she definitely did just that.

She's saying, look, pretty much our country was attacked, invaded by the strongest military in the world and nuclear power.

So we have to resume diplomatic relations with the U.S.,

And we can't be afraid to do that.

But then she added, if one day I go to Washington, she says it will be on her terms.