Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado handed over her Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, aiming to influence the direction of Venezuela’s political landscape. A White House official confirmed Trump’s acceptance of the medal.
Trump acknowledged the gesture in a social media post, expressing gratitude for the recognition of his efforts. Machado, pleased with the meeting, emphasized her admiration for Trump’s dedication to the Venezuelan people’s freedom.
Prior to Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize win, Trump had shown interest in her potential leadership in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. Although Machado physically presented Trump with the gold medal accompanying the prize, the award itself remains with her as per the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s guidelines.
The meeting between Machado and Trump, lasting over an hour, marked their first in-person encounter. Following the White House meeting, Machado engaged with a group of bipartisan senators on Capitol Hill.
While Machado strives to secure a role in Venezuela’s governance, Maduro’s interim successor, Delcy Rodríguez, continues to garner support, partially due to Trump’s backing. Despite hopes for democratization in Venezuela, doubts linger regarding the feasibility of upcoming elections.
Trump’s focus remains on Venezuela’s economic recovery and U.S. oil interests within the country. The recent seizure of a Venezuela-linked tanker by the U.S., the sixth vessel targeted in a series of operations, underscores Trump’s efforts to pressure Maduro out of power.
The U.S. Southern Command confirmed the apprehension of the tanker Veronica, emphasizing compliance with Trump’s sanctions on Venezuelan vessels. As Trump asserts control over Venezuela’s oil resources, plans for the country’s oil industry’s extensive overhaul are underway. The U.S. government’s pursuit of additional tankers linked to Venezuela’s oil trade aligns with its strategy to regulate oil shipments in and out of the nation.