• María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, recognizing his commitment to Venezuelan freedom.
• Trump still doubts Machado's ability to lead Venezuela, citing lack of domestic support.
• The meeting follows the U.S. military's capture of Nicolás Maduro, raising questions about Venezuela's political future.
• White House Press Secretary praised both leaders, but emphasized Trump's continued collaboration with acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
• US efforts towards securing oil deals were discussed during Machado's visit to the White House.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with President Donald Trump at the White House, presenting her Nobel Peace Prize medal as a gesture of recognition for his commitment to Venezuelan freedom. After their meeting, she stated, "I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans," highlighting the significance of this first in-person encounter following recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, including the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro, according to BBC, Reuters, and Le Monde.

Despite this meeting, Trump remains skeptical about Machado's prospects as Venezuela's leader, stating it would be "tough" for her due to a perceived lack of support within the country. The White House press secretary reiterated this assessment, emphasizing a "realistic" view of the existing political landscape, according to India Times, Channel News Asia, and LA Times.

Following Machado's presentation of her Nobel medal, which she stated was given in recognition of Trump's commitment to freedom for the Venezuelan people, the White House did not clarify whether he accepted the medal. The Nobel Committee has emphasized that their awards cannot be transferred or shared, which adds a layer of complexity to Machado's gesture, according to CBS News and Anadolu Agency.

During her meetings in Washington, Machado sought to reassure supporters of U.S. commitment to a future democratic governance in Venezuela, while Trump appears to be placing significant trust in acting President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, as indicated by his public statements of praise towards her. This dynamic illustrates the complexities and challenges in the potential transition of power in Venezuela, as noted by various political analysts and lawmakers following Machado's discussions with Trump and other senators, as reported by Reuters and Reuters.