Despite her effusive praise of President Donald Trump, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is not president of the country today because she committed the “ultimate sin” in his eyes, according to a shocking new report.
“Two people close to the White House said the president’s lack of interest in boosting Machado, despite her recent efforts to flatter Trump, stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an award the president has openly coveted,” the Washington Post reported.
“Although Machado ultimately said she was dedicating the award to Trump, her acceptance of the prize was an ‘ultimate sin,’ said one of the people,” the Post report continued.
“‘If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,’ this person said.”
Instead of Machado, the United States viewed Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as an “acceptable replacement” to run the country following Nicolas Maduro’s capture, according to The New York Times.
Rodriguez “had impressed Trump officials with her management of Venezuela’s crucial oil industry,” the Times reported.
In October, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” the Associated Press reported.
“In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding,” Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes said in a statement.
“Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.”
Trump, who had long coveted the prestigious prize, had been outspoken about his desire for the honor during both of his presidential terms, as he took credit for ending conflicts around the world. The Republican president has also expressed doubts that the Nobel committee would ever grant him the award.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said members of “the Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace” because they didn’t recognize Trump.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.