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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, denied on Wednesday having asked the Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado not to return to Venezuela, in statements made aboard Air Force One while returning from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
When asked by a journalist whether he had advised Machado not to travel to her country, Trump responded bluntly: "No... no, not at all... How could I say that? She is incredible. She is a wonderful person. I didn't tell her not to go."
The president also inquired whether Machado had finally returned to Venezuela, noting that he had heard that she had not, which indicates that he was aware of the opponent's failed attempts.
Trump's statements contrast with what multiple media outlets reported in the previous days.
According to an investigation by the New York Times, the Trump administration had personally advised Machado to postpone her return, citing a lack of security conditions and political stability.
A spokesperson for the State Department described the attempt to return as "counterproductive" to humanitarian aid efforts following the devastating double earthquake on June 24, 2026, which shook Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, leaving over 3,811 official dead, more than 16,740 injured, and tens of thousands missing.
In addition, Dutch authorities suspended the landing permit in Curaçao when Machado attempted to travel from Panama, after Washington made it clear that it did not support the trip.
Copa Airlines also refused to transport her for fear of reprisals from the regime, and the government of Delcy Rodríguez closed the Venezuelan airspace.
In his denial, Trump took the opportunity to praise Machado and remind that she presented him with her physical medal from the Nobel Peace Prize on January 15, 2026 in recognition of his "unique commitment" to the freedom of Venezuela.
"I didn't tell anyone not to come back. I believe she is a good person. She handed me the Nobel," said the president, who also quoted Machado: "He said the only one who should win it is Trump."
The context of these statements is a relationship that has gone through increasingly tense moments throughout 2026. In March, Trump officially recognized Delcy Rodríguez as the interim president of Venezuela, a decision that created friction with Machado. In May, CNN revealed that the opposition leader was not included in the Qatar-mediated discussions regarding the post-Maduro transition.
Machado, Nobel Peace Prize winner 2025 and leader of the Vente Venezuela party, announced her intention to return to Venezuela after the earthquake to stand by her people, but was thwarted in every attempt.
On Tuesday, from Panama —where she attended a mass for the victims of the earthquake—, Machado wrote on X: "I am going to return. Not as an event, but as a promise that is fulfilled step by step."
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