I’m willing to bet that you Gilbert & Sullivan fans out there are now humming the tune to “A Modern Major-General” from The Pirates of Penzance, which will undoubtedly be stuck in your heads for the rest of the day. Sorry about that.

But life in Venezuela today is no operetta; and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is no major-general. The newest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, she seemed to be Venezuela’s best hope for a democratic future . . . until she immediately offered to “share” her prize with Donald Trump for his supposed contributions to her country’s fight for freedom.

Aside from the fact that Nobel prizes are not — in accordance with the rules of the Nobel Institute — transferable, shareable or revocable; and the obvious fact that Trump is the last person in the world to deserve any sort of peace-related award; the mere fact that Machado so swiftly and unhesitatingly acted to mitigate his displeasure at her receipt of the prize by offering to share it with him is, to my mind, indicative of a basic weakness of will and character on her part.

Yes, she is fighting for the leadership of her country, presumably to rid it of the tyrannical rule of President Maduro’s linear successor, Venezuela’s current vice-president Delcy Rodriguez. And it is understandable that anyone in her position would be willing to go to great lengths to achieve that goal. But is toadying to Trump’s basest, ego-driven instincts the right way to do it? Does she not realize that his objective is not to “save” Venezuela, but to take control of it?

Yesterday, Machado met privately with Trump in the White House, following which she said, “I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans.” After leaving the White House, she told a group of supporters gathered outside the gates:

“We can count on President Trump. I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize [in] recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom. . . . as a sign of the brotherhood between the United States, the people of the United States, and the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against tyranny . . . as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” [Max Matza, BBC, January 15, 2026.]

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Trump had actually accepted the medal, though there was a later report that it had been “left” at the White House. And prior to yesterday’s meeting, he had expressed his reluctance to “appoint” her as the next leader of her country, due to what he considers her lack of sufficient domestic support — as though it is his choice to make, and not for the voting citizens of Venezuela to decide.

And as the meeting was in progress, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters:

“The president was looking forward to this meeting and expecting a frank and positive discussion. He wants to hear directly from Ms Machado about the realities on the ground in Venezuela and what is taking place in the country.” [Id.]

We’ll see what happens in the next few days; but for now, I wouldn’t place any bets, pro or con, on Machado’s chances of an imminent victory.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/16/26