Machado met Trump in person for the first time, weeks after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on drug-trafficking charges. Though Trump has yet to recognize Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, he called her “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.”
“I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters outside the White House. “It’s a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
The Nobel committee reiterated that the award itself is non-transferable. “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred,” it said in a statement last week.
Trump, who has long voiced frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize himself, described the move as “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” He declined to elaborate on Machado’s praise, telling reporters, “You’re gonna have to figure that one out.”
Supporters outside the White House chanted “María, presidente” as Machado spoke. Inside, she had hoped to persuade Trump to shift his support from interim leader Delcy Rodríguez—Maduro’s former vice president—to her opposition coalition, though Trump continues to engage with Rodríguez.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump looked forward to “a frank and positive discussion” and praised Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela.”
Freddy Guevara, a senior opposition figure now in exile, said Machado’s gesture was not about personal ambition. “I think that María Corina Machado understands the importance, and she believes that this is the right thing to do for the freedom of Venezuela,” he said.
Since Maduro’s arrest on Jan. 3, the U.S. has moved swiftly to reshape Venezuela’s oil sector, including the sale of $500 million worth of crude. U.S. forces have seized several tankers believed to be transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez—still acting as Venezuela’s head of state—spoke to Trump by phone Wednesday and later said she was open to visiting Washington. “If I ever have to go to Washington as acting president, I will do so standing tall,” she said.
Trump described the call as “productive,” calling Rodríguez “a terrific person.”
(jh)
Source: BBC, Reuters, Associated Press, PAP