Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. She said the gift recognized his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.
“I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans,” Machado said, meeting Trump for the first time. Her visit came weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him with drug trafficking.
Trump did not endorse Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, despite claims by her movement of victory in 2024’s disputed elections. Instead, he has been dealing with acting Venezuelan head of state Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice-president.
“Meeting Machado was a great honor,” Trump said, calling her a “wonderful woman who has been through so much.”
After the meeting, Machado addressed supporters outside the White House, saying in Spanish: “We can count on President Trump.” She later told journalists in English that presenting the medal recognized his “unique commitment to our freedom.”
Nobel Committee Clarifies Prize Rules
Trump had previously expressed disappointment when Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize last year. Machado announced she would share it with him, but the committee emphasized that Nobel Prizes are not transferable.
“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others,” the committee said. The Nobel Peace Center added on social media: “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.”
Historical Symbolism
Machado compared the gift to an event in Venezuelan history. She noted how the Marquis de Lafayette, a figure in America’s Revolutionary War, once gave a medal of George Washington to Simon Bolivar, a founding father of Venezuela.
The medal, Machado said, symbolizes “brotherhood” between the US and Venezuela in their shared fight for freedom. “Two hundred years later, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal—this time the Nobel Peace Prize—as recognition of his commitment to our freedom.”
Visits to Congress and Discussions on Leadership
During her Washington visit, Machado also met US senators. Outside, supporters waved Venezuelan flags and chanted “María, presidente.”
Machado reportedly aimed to convince Trump that backing Rodríguez’s interim government was a mistake and that her coalition should lead the transition.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many Venezuelans.” She said Trump expected “a frank and positive discussion” about Venezuela’s realities.
Trump has called Machado a “freedom fighter” but declined to appoint her to lead Venezuela, citing limited domestic support.
Opposition Perspective
Freddy Guevara, co-founder of Venezuelan opposition party Voluntad Popular, said Machado’s gift was not a personal move to secure Trump’s endorsement. He said the opposition aims for democratic elections so Venezuelans decide their leaders.
Guevara also noted that while US actions in Venezuela involve oil, the opposition hopes development and energy concerns can coexist with a democratic transition.
US Actions in Venezuela
Since Maduro’s capture on January 3, the US has acted quickly to manage Venezuela’s oil sector. On Wednesday, the first US sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500m, was completed. US forces also seized a sixth tanker suspected of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Meanwhile, a Venezuelan envoy is expected to visit Washington to begin steps toward reopening the embassy. Rodríguez described herself as willing to engage in diplomacy with the US, calling for cooperation while maintaining Venezuela’s dignity.
Trump and Rodríguez spoke by phone, describing the conversation as “productive and courteous,” and highlighting “mutual respect.”
