The leader of the Venezuelan opposition, María Corina Machado, stated on Thursday (the 15th) that she presented the medal of her Nobel Peace Prize to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, during a private meeting at the White House.
After the meeting, the first in-person encounter between the two, she described the day as “historic” for Venezuelans, but did not clarify whether Trump actually accepted the symbolic object.
Machado was awarded the Nobel in 2025 for her leadership of the opposition to the Nicolás Maduro regime and for advocating free elections in the country.
After American forces captured Maduro in Caracas at the start of January, the movement led by the opposition claimed victory in the contested 2024 elections and presents itself as the legitimate representative of the country.
Nevertheless, Trump has not yet recognized her as head of government and continues to regard Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, as interim authority for diplomatic purposes.
As she left the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered nearby and, in Spanish, said that Venezuelans can “count on President Trump.”
Then, in English, she told journalists that she “presented to the President of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” describing the gesture as a recognition of Trump’s “unique commitment” to Venezuela’s freedom.
Last week, Machado had already stated that she intended to “share” the Nobel with Trump, but the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that the honor is not transferable and belongs exclusively to the laureate.
