Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Presents Nobel Peace Prize Medal to Donald Trump

Machado Presents Nobel Medal to Trump at White House Meeting

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The event occurred weeks after the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.

Machado's gesture was widely seen as an effort to acknowledge Trump's perceived commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people and to influence his administration's decisions regarding Venezuela's political future.

Nobel Recognition and Prior Dedication

María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2025, for her 'tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy'. Upon receiving the award, Machado had publicly dedicated it to Donald Trump, citing his 'decisive support of our cause'. Trump, who has previously expressed a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, confirmed receiving the medal, calling it a 'wonderful gesture of mutual respect'.

Context of the Meeting and U.S. Policy Shifts

The meeting between Machado and Trump took place amidst a complex political landscape following the reported removal of Nicolás Maduro from power. Despite Machado's long-standing role as a prominent opposition figure, Trump had previously expressed reservations about her suitability to lead Venezuela, stating that 'she doesn't have the respect' needed for the role. Instead, the Trump administration had reportedly been engaging with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's vice president, who was appointed interim president.

The medal presented to Trump was encased in a gilded frame, bearing an inscription that read: '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.'

Nobel Committee's Stance on Medal Transfer

Following the news of the presentation, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that while a physical medal can change hands, the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains with the original recipient. The institute stated that the prize 'cannot be transferred, shared or revoked'.