Highlights:
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María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during a White House meeting.
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Machado said the gesture recognized Trump’s role in Venezuela’s fight for freedom.
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The Nobel Committee said Nobel titles cannot be transferred, revoked, or shared.
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Trump met Machado but has not recognized her as Venezuela’s leader, continuing engagement with Delcy Rodríguez.
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U.S. actions following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest have reshaped Venezuela’s oil and diplomatic landscape.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday (15), calling the gesture a recognition of his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom. The meeting marked Machado’s first in-person discussion with Trump and took place against the backdrop of escalating political and diplomatic developments involving Venezuela and the United States.
Machado’s visit comes weeks after U.S. forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him in a drug-trafficking case, an action that has significantly altered U.S.-Venezuela relations. The meeting with Trump was part of Machado’s broader effort to press her case in Washington as Venezuela’s political future remains contested following the country’s disputed 2024 elections.
“I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans,” Machado said after meeting Trump. Speaking to journalists later, she added: “I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize… as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
Trump later acknowledged the gesture publicly, describing it on social media as “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” The White House meeting drew attention not only for its symbolism but also for what it signaled about ongoing U.S. engagement with multiple Venezuelan political actors.
Trump and the Nobel Medal Gesture
Following the presentation, the Nobel Committee issued a clarification emphasizing that while a Nobel medal can be physically handed to another person, the Nobel Peace Prize itself remains personal and permanent. “The decision is final and stands for all time,” the committee said, underscoring that the title of Nobel laureate cannot be transferred, revoked, or shared.
Machado’s decision to present the medal was framed by her allies as symbolic rather than procedural. It was intended to highlight Trump’s influence on Venezuela-related policy rather than to suggest any formal change in Nobel recognition.
Despite the high-profile meeting, Trump has not endorsed Machado as Venezuela’s head of state. Although her opposition coalition claims victory in the 2024 elections, Trump has continued to engage with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, who is currently acting as head of state.
Still, Trump spoke positively about the encounter, calling it “a great honor” to meet Machado and describing her as “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.”
Trump, History, and U.S.-Venezuela Relations
During her Washington visit, Machado drew historical parallels to explain the meaning behind the medal presentation. She referenced the Marquis de Lafayette, who fought alongside American forces during the Revolutionary War and later presented a medal bearing George Washington’s likeness to Simón Bolívar, one of Venezuela’s founding figures.
“The gift was a sign of the brotherhood between her country and the US in their fight for freedom against tyranny,” Machado said, framing her gesture to Trump as part of a longer historical relationship between the two nations.
Machado also met with U.S. senators on Capitol Hill as part of her outreach campaign. Her remarks were at times interrupted by supporters chanting “María, presidente” while waving Venezuelan flags, underscoring the political support she commands among segments of the Venezuelan diaspora.
Her objective in Washington was to convince Trump and U.S. lawmakers that backing Rodríguez’s interim government was a mistake and that leadership should instead shift to her opposition alliance.
Trump Administration’s View on Machado
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela.” She said Trump “was looking forward to this meeting and expecting a frank and positive discussion” focused on the current situation in Venezuela.
Freddy Guevara, a co-founder of the Venezuelan opposition party Voluntad Popular, said Machado’s actions were driven by broader political goals rather than personal recognition.
“I think this is not a personal goal. I think that María Corina Machado understands the importance, and she believes that this is the right thing to do for the freedom of Venezuela,” Guevara said. He added that the opposition remains focused on securing democratic elections as its primary objective.
Trump, Oil Policy, and Venezuela’s Crisis
Since Maduro’s arrest on January 3, the U.S. has moved quickly to reshape its approach to Venezuela’s oil sector. Washington has completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at approximately $500 million, marking a major shift in enforcement and control over Venezuelan energy assets.
U.S. forces have also seized several tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil, highlighting the economic and geopolitical stakes tied to the country’s vast energy reserves.
At the same time, Rodríguez has signaled a willingness to maintain diplomatic channels with Washington. She described a recent phone call with Trump as “productive and courteous,” emphasizing what she called “mutual respect” between the two sides.
Machado’s presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump underscores the intersection of symbolism, diplomacy, and political strategy shaping Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. As Trump continues to balance engagement with competing Venezuelan leaders, the episode reflects both the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s leadership and the central role the United States continues to play in the country’s political future.
