It’s been a busy day for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and acting president Delcy Rodríguez, both of whom say they represent their country on the world stage.

• Machado goes to Washington: The opposition leader told reporters Thursday that she had “presented” US President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal as a gift during an “extraordinary” meeting at the White House. Trump has long coveted the prize, but the committee that awards it has been clear that it cannot be shared or transferred. “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot,” it said in a post on X.

• Historic or not?: After her meeting with Trump, Machado told US lawmakers that the meeting with the president was “historic, not only for the future of Venezuela, but for the future of freedom in the world.” However, Trump has previously indicated he does not think Machado has enough respect within Venezuela to govern – and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that he had not changed his view.

• Rodríguez calls for a “diplomatic battle” with the US: Meanwhile, in Caracas, Rodríguez gave Venezuela’s equivalent to the State of the Union address, telling lawmakers that Venezuela should engage in a “diplomatic battle” with the United States to defend its sovereignty. “All of Venezuela is being threatened,” Rodríguez said, “and that is why I call for national unity so that, with sovereignty foremost, we wage the diplomatic battle.”

• Rodríguez criticizes the US without mentioning Trump: During her speech, Rodríguez mentioned a “criminal economic blockade,” an “economic war,” a “naval blockade aimed at encircling the country as an energy exporter,” and an “armed aggression by a nuclear power unlike anything that has ever occurred in history.” However, she did not once directly mention the president of that nuclear power, Donald Trump.

• A possible visit to Washington, “standing up”: Rodríguez subtly opened the door to a trip to the United States, saying that “if one day I have to go to Washington, I will go standing up … never crawling or dragging myself.” She also defended sending between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. “Venezuela has the right to have relations with all the countries of the world — and with the United States as well,” Rodríguez said.