Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has given her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, saying it was a recognition of his commitment to her country's freedom. I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans, she said after meeting Trump in person for the first time, weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him in a drug-trafficking case.
Trump said on social media that the move was a wonderful gesture of mutual respect, but the Nobel committee has said the prize itself was not transferable. The US president has declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela's new leader, despite her movement claiming victory in 2024's widely contested elections.
After leaving the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered at the gates outside, telling them in Spanish, according to the Associated Press: We can count on President Trump. Machado is pressing for the international community to recognize her coalition's claim to lead Venezuela over Maduro's former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Reflecting on the historical context, Machado likened her actions to the Marquis de Lafayette gifting a medal to Venezuelan independence leader Simón Bolívar, symbolizing the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. Although Machado had hoped to leverage her meeting with Trump to strengthen her position, the Nobel committee's clear stance on the nature of her award has raised questions about the political implications of her gesture.
Trump said on social media that the move was a wonderful gesture of mutual respect, but the Nobel committee has said the prize itself was not transferable. The US president has declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela's new leader, despite her movement claiming victory in 2024's widely contested elections.
After leaving the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered at the gates outside, telling them in Spanish, according to the Associated Press: We can count on President Trump. Machado is pressing for the international community to recognize her coalition's claim to lead Venezuela over Maduro's former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Reflecting on the historical context, Machado likened her actions to the Marquis de Lafayette gifting a medal to Venezuelan independence leader Simón Bolívar, symbolizing the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. Although Machado had hoped to leverage her meeting with Trump to strengthen her position, the Nobel committee's clear stance on the nature of her award has raised questions about the political implications of her gesture.
