CARACAS - Venezuelan opposition leader and newly awarded Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has called on President Nicolás Maduro to relinquish power peacefully. In an interview with AFP, Machado declared that Maduro’s “time is over” but said he still has the opportunity “to step down without violence.”

Machado emphasized that guarantees have already been prepared for Maduro should he agree to resign, but noted that these assurances would only be made public “once we are at the negotiating table.”

According to Machado, “the whole world knows” that Maduro lost the 2024 elections. She said the opposition collected printouts from voting machines proving their victory, but the government-controlled National Electoral Council nevertheless declared Maduro the winner.

“He Will Bear the Consequences”

The opposition leader warned that Maduro would have to face the consequences if he clings to power, although she refused to speculate about potential U.S. military intervention.

In August, the United States deployed warships to the Caribbean. During ensuing attacks on four vessels suspected of drug trafficking, at least 21 people were killed.

Maduro has reacted sharply to Machado’s remarks, previously calling her a “devilish witch” seeking to provoke foreign intervention.

Support from Trump and the U.S.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump personally congratulated Machado by phone on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado dedicated the award to “the Venezuelan people and President Trump,” calling him a “decisive ally in the fight for freedom.” Trump later shared her statement on his social media account.

Following the announcement of her Nobel win, Machado described the recognition as “a monumental acknowledgment of Venezuela’s struggle for liberty.” She added, “We are on the brink of victory. With the support of Trump, the United States, Latin America, and all democratic nations, Venezuela will be free.”