President Donald Trump welcomed Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to the Oval Office on a Thursday, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. The meeting, which took place at the White House, marked a significant moment amid the political turmoil in Venezuela.
Machado, who earned the Nobel Peace Prize the previous year for her efforts to promote democracy in her homeland, stood by President Trump as he accepted the medal. The gesture was commemorated with an official photograph released by the White House.
The presentation of the medal occurred shortly after the United States military played a decisive role in capturing and detaining Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a move that substantially shifted the geopolitical dynamics in South America.
Speaking to the media on Capitol Hill, Machado stated, “I presented the president of the United States, the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” attributing her decision to President Trump's "unique commitment with our freedom." She drew a historical parallel to the medal commissioned for President George Washington, which was later presented to Marquis de Lafayette's descendants. Machado referred to President Trump as the “heir of Washington.”
President Trump expressed his gratitude for the gesture through his Truth Social account. In a message, he praised Machado's character and thanked her for the medal, calling it a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect."
In response to this development, the Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a statement underscoring the immutable rules surrounding the Nobel Prize. They clarified that although medals could be passed on posthumously, they could not be gifted during the laureate's lifetime, reiterating that the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate is non-transferable and the decision is irrevocable.
Despite the committee's position, Machado proceeded with the medal presentation to President Trump. The White House did not allow the press into the meeting, which resulted in the absence of immediate photographs of the President with the medal, except for the one later released.
Machado's Nobel Peace Prize recognized her dedication to transitioning Venezuela into a democracy. Although barred from holding office, she continues to lead the opposition against Maduro's regime. The U.S. government has supported the opposition, declaring the rightful winner of the election to be a member of Machado's movement, despite Maduro's claims of victory in the 2024 elections.
Following Maduro's arrest, the Trump administration has not advocated for a complete regime change but has been collaborating with Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's deputy, who is now the acting president. These actions signify the current administration’s nuanced approach to the Venezuelan crisis.
