“Let me start by acknowledging Ms. Machado’s gesture in presenting the peace prize—it was indeed very generous,” she remarked.

“I’ve also expressed that we, as Australians, should have confidence in our shared ability to navigate these changes,” she continued.

Machado, who characterized the meeting as “excellent,” explained to reporters that her gesture was a nod to his dedication to the freedom of the Venezuelan populace.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado greeted supporters warmly after her meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters following her White House meeting with Donald Trump. Source: Getty / Chip Somodevilla

Her gesture appeared to be part of her effort to gain influence over the future direction of her country.

Asked on Wednesday if he wanted Machado to give him the prize, Trump said: “No, I didn’t say that. She won the Nobel Peace Prize.”

First meeting with Trump

Machado then met with more than a dozen senators, both Republican and Democratic, on Capitol Hill, where she has generally found more enthusiastic allies.

After the US captured Maduro, in a snatch-and-grab operation this month, various opposition figures, members of Venezuela’s diaspora and politicians throughout the US and Latin America have expressed hope that Venezuela will start the process of democratisation.