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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, describing the gesture as historically significant.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Machado explained the symbolism behind her gift. “I presented the president of the United States the medal… the Nobel Peace Prize,” she said, drawing a parallel to a historical precedent. “Two hundred years ago, General Lafayette gave Simón Bolívar a medal with George Washington’s face on it. He kept that medal for the rest of his life.”
Machado explained that Lafayette’s gift to Bolívar symbolized the partnership between the United States and Venezuela in their shared struggle for freedom against tyranny. “Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolívar are giving back the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom,” she stated.
Trump acknowledged the gesture on his Truth Social platform, writing: “It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in U.S.-Venezuela relations, occurring less than two weeks after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The operation marked a dramatic escalation in American intervention in the South American nation, which has suffered under authoritarian rule and economic collapse for years.
The timing is particularly noteworthy given Trump’s previous comments about Machado’s political prospects. In early January, Trump expressed doubt about her leadership capabilities, telling reporters, “I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect.”
Reports from The Washington Post suggested that Trump had been annoyed when Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, an award he had reportedly hoped to receive himself. The White House had previously stated that the president’s decisions regarding Venezuela were based on “realistic decisions” rather than personal feelings.
Machado had signaled her intent to share the award with Trump during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity” program last week. When asked if she had offered to give Trump the Nobel Peace Prize, she replied, “Well, it hasn’t happened yet,” adding that “the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people, certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.”
However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute quickly clarified that such a transfer would not be officially recognized. “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared or transferred to others,” the institute said in a statement. “The decision is final and stands for all time.”
Machado has been a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement, advocating for democratic reforms and challenging the legitimacy of the Maduro regime. Her meeting with Trump comes as questions linger about Venezuela’s political future following Maduro’s capture.
The relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela has been fraught for years, with successive American administrations imposing sanctions on the Maduro government for human rights abuses, election fraud, and corruption. The current developments represent a potential turning point in the country’s long-running political crisis, though the path forward remains uncertain.
For Machado, the symbolic handover of her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump represents both a personal gesture and a political statement about the alliance she hopes to strengthen between the U.S. and democratic forces in Venezuela as the nation contemplates its post-Maduro future.
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10 Comments
While I appreciate the historical significance Machado is trying to convey, the Nobel Institute’s rules exist for good reason. This gesture may be more about political theater than substantive diplomacy.
This is a curious political move by Machado, but the Nobel Institute’s rules against it are there for good reason. I’m skeptical this gesture will lead to meaningful progress in US-Venezuela relations.
Interesting political gesture, though the Nobel Institute’s stance against it is understandable. Curious to see how this plays out and what symbolic meaning it may hold for US-Venezuela relations.
This seems like a meaningful symbolic act, drawing parallels to historical precedents of cooperation between the US and Venezuela. However, the Nobel Institute’s position also raises valid concerns about the integrity of their awards.
Symbolic gestures can hold weight, but the Nobel Institute’s stance suggests this move by Machado may be more about political posturing than genuine diplomacy. Curious to see how it plays out.
I agree, the Institute’s rules exist to preserve the integrity of their awards. This seems more about theatrics than substantive progress, though the historical parallel is intriguing.
While the historical precedent Machado is invoking is compelling, the Nobel Institute’s stance against this type of action is reasonable. This move seems more about political theater than substantive US-Venezuela cooperation.
It’s an interesting historical parallel that Machado is drawing, but the Nobel Institute’s rules against this type of action are understandable. This gesture seems more about symbolism than tangible diplomatic progress.
Curious to see how the US and Venezuela navigate this situation. Symbolic gestures can hold weight, but the Nobel Institute’s stance suggests this move may be more symbolic than pragmatic.
You raise a fair point. The Nobel Institute’s rules are in place to preserve the integrity of their awards, so this move may be more about political posturing than meaningful progress.