Trump Officials Criticize Venezuelan Nobel Winner Over Election Remarks

White House accuses Maria Corina Machado of undermining national security goals

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The White House has reportedly accused Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, of undermining US national security goals with her remarks on the timing of elections in Venezuela. White House officials have grown "frustrated" with Machado over her comments suggesting elections could be held in 9-10 months, with one adviser calling her a "spoiler" who is "working against US national security goals."

Why it matters

Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader who has backed US intervention in the country. The White House's criticism of her election timeline comments reflects ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuelan opposition figures over the path forward for the country.

The details

According to the report, White House officials accused Machado of "undermining the president's policy success," including the release of political prisoners and joint law-enforcement operations between the US and Venezuela. The officials said Machado's comments "rubbed some people the wrong way" and that a 24-month timeframe for elections would be more realistic.

  • Earlier this week, Machado told Politico that voting could be implemented fairly quickly, suggesting 9-10 months as a possible timeframe.

The players

Maria Corina Machado

A Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize winner who has backed US intervention in Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.

Donald Trump

The former US President who previously questioned Machado's suitability for office, saying she "doesn't have the support or the respect within the country."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“All Maria Corina Machado does is try to negate all of this... she's selfish. None of this is 'Operation Maria Corina Machado.' It's 'Operation US national security,' which is not tied to her in any way. She's a spoiler and she's working against US national security goals.”

— White House Adviser (Politico)

“Machado's comments "rubbed some people the wrong way," with the official accusing her of "undermining the president's policy success," including the release of political prisoners, joint law-enforcement operations between the two countries, and other areas of cooperation.”

— White House Adviser (Politico)

“[24] months is a more realistic time frame.”

— Person Close to the White House (Politico)

The takeaway

The White House's criticism of Machado's election timeline comments highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuelan opposition figures over the path forward for the country, as the US seeks to balance its national security goals with the opposition's push for a quicker democratic transition.