The decision by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to accept the Nobel Peace Prize has reportedly cost the activist the support of US President Donald Trump to lead a transition in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, according to The Washington Post.

Although Machado asked Trump, prior to the capture of Nicolas Maduro, to intervene in Venezuela, in a political gesture towards the Republican, the president decided to opt for Delcy Rodriguez.

Trump even stated that Machado does not have “the respect and support” of her people, so he does not see her as an option to assume the Presidency of Venezuela.

“I think it would be very difficult for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect to govern,” the Republican stated from Mar-a-Lago, and assured that he has not spoken with the politician, who in December received the Nobel Peace Prize amidst numerous protests and criticism.

According to the Post, Trump's comment took Machado's allies and colleagues by surprise, according to a person close to the opposition leader's team, who secretly left Venezuela after months in hiding.

Right after the award ceremony The Nobel Prize could be the reason for Trump's decision, according to The Washington Post. In other words, the fact that he didn't reject the award was an "unforgivable sin" that the president hasn't forgotten, two sources close to the White House told the Post. "If he had rejected it and said, 'I can't accept it because it belongs to Donald Trump,' he would be the president of Venezuela today," added one of the sources, who offered their testimony anonymously. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated on Sunday Washington's position of ruling out the opposition leader and instead offering an opportunity to the vice president and current acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez. "Maria Corina Machado is fantastic (...),"But the immediate reality we face is that, unfortunately, the vast majority of the opposition is no longer present in Venezuela. We have short-term issues that must be addressed immediately,” said Rubio, who added that Maduro's second-in-command is “someone we can work with.”