María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, arrives in Washington this week for high-stakes talks with US President Donald Trump on the future of Venezuela following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. The meeting comes after Trump surprised many by allowing Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to assume control, dashing opposition hopes for a new democratic era.
The last 12 months have been a rollercoaster for Machado. A year ago this week, she was seen in Caracas, struggling to energize crowds against Maduro, the authoritarian leader who was beginning a third term as Venezuela’s president after his electoral authorities announced him the winner in the 2024 presidential…