Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado revealed that she handed over her Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House on Thursday. This act took place amid Trump’s skepticism about her ability to govern Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S.
Although Machado desired to present her prize to Trump, the Nobel Institute clarified that this was not permissible. “I gave the President of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado stated to journalists after her meeting at the White House before proceeding to Capitol Hill. She expressed that this was in acknowledgment of his exceptional dedication to their freedom.
Even if this gesture is merely symbolic, it holds significance as Trump has sidelined Machado, who has been a prominent figure in Venezuela’s resistance movement. Trump has shown readiness to cooperate with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s deputy.
Later, Trump acknowledged on social media that Machado had left the medal for him and expressed his appreciation for meeting her. He commended Machado’s courage and cited her gesture of presenting him with the Nobel Peace Prize as a mark of mutual respect.
During their interaction, Trump did not disclose a clear plan regarding the timeline for holding elections in Venezuela, casting doubt on his commitment to supporting democratic governance in the country. Machado indicated that Trump did not provide many specifics on this matter during their conversation.
Despite Machado’s efforts to build rapport with Trump and key officials in his administration, Trump has previously questioned her suitability to lead Venezuela. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Trump anticipated the meeting with Machado but maintained his realistic view that she currently lacked the necessary backing to assume leadership in the near future.