Caracas: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, announced her intention to relocate Venezuela's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if she is elected. In an interview with an Israeli channel, Machado expressed her commitment to strengthening the relationship between Venezuela and Israel, emphasizing that the move of the embassy would symbolize Venezuela's support for the State of Israel.

According to Anadolu Agency, Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 during Hugo Chavez's presidency, following the 2008-2009 Gaza War. Chavez expelled the Israeli ambassador at that time, marking a significant shift in Venezuela's foreign policy. Machado's recent statements suggest a potential reversal of this policy, indicating a different diplomatic approach towards Israel.

In addition to her stance on Israel, Machado has also been vocal about her support for US President Donald Trump's military initiatives in the Caribbean. In September, she endorsed Trump's views, arguing that Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro poses a serious security threat to the region. Machado reiterated this perspective in an interview with Fox News last month, following the US military actions against suspected drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean.

Machado stressed that the actions were crucial for saving lives, not only in Venezuela but also in the United States. She highlighted her belief that Maduro leads a narco-terrorist network, which necessitates a robust response to protect regional security.