Pope Leo had previously called for Venezuela to remain an independent country. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The White House has announced that Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump this week as pressure grew on the interim leadership in Caracas to speed up the release of political prisoners.

US President Donald Trump will host Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado on Thursday at the White House, a senior administration official told AFP.

US President Donald Trump will host Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado on Thursday at the White House, a senior administration official told AFP.

Venezuela says it has released 116 people jailed under Nicolas Maduro in recent hours, but human rights groups have counted less.

Venezuela says it has released 116 people jailed under Nicolas Maduro in recent hours, but human rights groups have counted less.

Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV met with Nobel Peace Prize winner and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the Vatican on Monday ahead of her visit with President Donald Trump.

Pressure is growing on the interim leadership in Caracas to speed up the release of political prisoners. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pope Leo meets Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado at the Vatican, discussing Venezuela's independence and human rights issues.

Machado, the winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, had offered to share the honour with Trump, an award the president has long coveted.

Machado, the winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, had offered to share the honour with Trump, an award the president has long coveted.

Machado, the winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, had offered to share the honour with Trump, an award the president has long coveted.

Venezuela's government has started freeing detainees considered by rights groups as political prisoners, in what officials have referred to as a goodwill gesture. US president Donald Trump said the move came at the request of the United States.

President Trump will meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado as pressure mounts for the release of political prisoners. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Machado has been sidelined by Washington since US forces seized long-term authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro on 3 January.

Trump expresses optimism about collaboration with Venezuela's interim leader and openness to future meetings amidst political changes.

Trump expresses optimism about collaboration with Venezuela's interim leader and openness to future meetings amidst political changes.

Venezuela’s new leaders and President Trump have alluded to a major release of political prisoners, but the liberations have been slow to come.

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado was granted a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Monday at the Vatican.

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado was granted a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Monday at the Vatican.

Venezuela’s promise last week to release “a significant number” of political prisoners is progressing far slower than many had hoped, as hundreds of families continue to wait in agony for their loved ones to be freed.