Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump today, stating it was “a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” Trump confirmed receiving the medal and called it an honor to meet Machado.
Machado Presents Nobel Peace Prize to Trump
“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” Trump said in a social media post. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
The White House released a photo of Machado and Trump in the Oval Office, with Trump holding the medal in a framed display. The frame’s text reads, “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”
The meeting occurred despite Trump having previously questioned Machado’s credibility to lead Venezuela, even after U.S. forces captured then-President Nicolás Maduro in a military raid.
Machado’s whereabouts have been largely unknown since she left Venezuela last year after a brief detention in Caracas. Following a closed-door discussion with Trump, she addressed cheering supporters, hugging many near the White House gates. “We can count on President Trump,” she told them.
Trump has signaled a willingness to work with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s No. 2. Rodríguez is currently delivering her first state of the union speech while Machado is in Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice” for the Venezuelan people, but stated the meeting did not alter Trump’s assessment of her. Leavitt called it “a realistic assessment.”
Trump has expressed doubt about Machado’s ability to lead, stating she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Her party is widely believed to have won the 2024 elections, which were rejected by Maduro.
Leavitt said Trump supports new Venezuelan elections “when the time is right” but did not specify a timeframe.
Trump Administration Plays Down Meeting Expectations
Leavitt stated Machado initiated the meeting without preconditions and had previously offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Trump, an honor he has sought. “I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado,” Leavitt said, adding that they had a “frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”
Machado spent approximately two and a half hours at the White House, leaving without answering questions about offering her Nobel prize to Trump, only saying “gracias.”
Machado also met with senators on Capitol Hill, and later reiterated her belief that “We can count on President Trump.”
Machado’s visit began after U.S. forces seized another oil tanker sanctioned for ties to Venezuela. This is part of a broader U.S. effort to gain control of Venezuela’s oil reserves following the capture of Maduro and his wife, who are now facing drug trafficking charges in New York.
Venezuela’s interim authorities are cooperating with the Trump administration, and Rodríguez’s government announced plans to release more prisoners detained under Maduro, including five Americans this week.
Rodríguez has adopted a less confrontational stance toward Trump since Maduro’s ouster, suggesting alignment with the administration’s “America First” policies. Trump stated he had a “great conversation” with Rodríguez, their first since Maduro was removed from power. “We had a call, a long call. We discussed a lot of things,” Trump said.
Machado Doesn’t Get the Nod from Trump
Trump was quick to express reservations about Machado, stating just hours after Maduro’s capture that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.”
Machado has been careful to avoid alienating Trump, thanking him after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, though her offer to share the honor was declined by the Nobel Institute.
Machado remained in hiding even after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, briefly appearing in Oslo, Norway, in December after her daughter accepted the award on her behalf.
Machado began challenging the ruling party in 2004, co-founding Súmate, an organization that promoted a referendum to recall then-President Hugo Chávez. She later met with President George W. Bush in Washington, a move that drew criticism from Chávez.
Machado mobilized millions of Venezuelans to reject Maduro in the 2024 election, but the results were disputed by the ruling party, leading to a crackdown on protests.
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