In a remarkable political gesture at the White House on Thursday, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their first face-to-face meeting. The symbolic exchange occurred as Machado seeks to influence Washington’s approach to Venezuela’s political future following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro.
Trump enthusiastically accepted the gold medal, despite the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s clear stipulation that Nobel prizes cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked. The president subsequently celebrated the gesture on social media, describing it as ‘a wonderful gesture of mutual respect’ acknowledging his work toward Venezuelan freedom.
The meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, represented Machado’s diplomatic effort to position herself within Venezuela’s political landscape after Trump previously dismissed the possibility of installing her as the country’s leader. Machado, who escaped Venezuela by sea in December, characterized their discussion as ‘excellent’ and framed the medal presentation as recognition of Trump’s commitment to Venezuelan liberation.
While the White House confirmed Trump’s intention to retain the physical medal, the honor remains exclusively Machado’s achievement. The event highlighted Trump’s longstanding interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, having openly campaigned for the recognition before Machado received it last month.
Following the White House visit, Machado engaged with bipartisan U.S. senators on Capitol Hill, where she reportedly found more enthusiastic support than from the administration. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut expressed skepticism about Venezuela’s democratic transition despite meeting with Machado, noting that repression continues unchanged under interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
The diplomatic developments occur against the backdrop of competing influences on U.S. policy, with both Venezuelan government representatives and opposition figures vying for Washington’s support. Trump has repeatedly praised Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy who assumed leadership after his capture, describing her as ‘very good to deal with’ and emphasizing American interests in Venezuelan oil access and economic reconstruction.
Rodriguez, in her annual legislative address, called for diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and proposed oil industry reforms to attract foreign investment, signaling potential avenues for cooperation despite ongoing political tensions.