Venezuelan Nobel Laureate Donates Medal to Trump

María Corina Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition, has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a recent encounter at the White House. She articulated that this gesture symbolizes acknowledgment of his dedication to the quest for freedom in her homeland.

Following her first in-person meeting with Trump, which occurred weeks after U.S. forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him with drug trafficking, Machado declared, “Today marks a significant milestone for us Venezuelans.”

In response, Trump took to social media to express his appreciation, labeling the act as “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” However, he has refrained from endorsing Machado as a potential leader for Venezuela, despite her coalition claiming success in the contentious elections set for 2024.

Instead, Trump has been engaging with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting leader and former vice-president under Maduro. He referred to his meeting with Machado as a “great honor,” praising her as a “remarkable woman who has endured so much.”

After her White House visit, Machado addressed her supporters gathered outside, affirming in Spanish, “We can count on President Trump.” She later explained to reporters in English, “I presented the president of the United States with the Nobel Peace Prize medal, which signifies his unique commitment to our freedom.”

Trump, who has previously shown interest in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize himself, expressed dissatisfaction when Machado accepted the award last year. The Nobel Committee clarified that the prize is non-transferable.

Last week, Machado had indicated her intention to share the medal with Trump, but the Nobel Committee reiterated that once awarded, the prize cannot be revoked or shared, stating, “The decision is final and stands for all time.”

Before the Thursday meeting, the Nobel Peace Center addressed the situation on social media, indicating that while ownership of a medal can change, the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains with the individual.

In her remarks, Machado drew parallels to historical events, recounting how the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in the American Revolutionary War, gifted a medal bearing George Washington’s image to Simón Bolívar, a pivotal leader in Venezuela’s history. She emphasized that this exchange represented “the brotherhood” between Venezuela and the United States in their mutual struggle against tyranny.

“Two centuries later, the people of Bolívar are returning a medal, in this case, the Nobel Peace Prize, as a tribute to Trump for his extraordinary commitment to our freedom,” she stated.

During her time in Washington, Machado also met with U.S. senators, where her comments were often overshadowed by supporters chanting her name and waving Venezuelan flags. Her meeting with Trump was anticipated to be an opportunity for her to persuade him that supporting Rodríguez’s interim government was misguided and that her coalition should lead the transition.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many Venezuelans,” noting that Trump was eager for a candid and positive discussion regarding the challenging circumstances in Venezuela.

While Trump has previously acknowledged Machado as a “freedom fighter,” he has resisted the idea of appointing her as Venezuela’s leader post-Maduro, citing her insufficient domestic backing. Following Maduro’s capture on January 3, the Trump administration has acted swiftly to reshape Venezuela’s oil industry, which had been under U.S. sanctions.

On Wednesday, an American official announced that the U.S. had finalized its first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500 million. Additionally, U.S. forces have intercepted oil tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with reports confirming that they boarded a sixth tanker on Thursday.

According to reports, a Venezuelan government representative is set to visit Washington on Thursday to engage with U.S. officials and initiate efforts to reopen the Venezuelan embassy. This envoy is said to be a close associate of Rodríguez, who has been characterized by the White House as “extremely cooperative.”

Rodríguez delivered the annual Message to the Nation speech in Caracas on Thursday, expressing her willingness to participate in discussions in Washington as well. “If I ever have to go to Washington as acting president, I will do so standing tall, walking, and not crawling,” she stated, urging the nation to embrace diplomacy with the United States.

On Wednesday, Trump and Rodríguez held a phone conversation, with Trump later describing her on social media as “a terrific person.” In turn, Rodríguez characterized the call as “productive and courteous,” marked by “mutual respect.”