Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado confirmed she “presented” her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump on Thursday, but left it unclear whether he kept it. speaking after a “great” meeting at the White House, Machado said the gesture was a tribute to Trump’s commitment to her country. The ambiguity regarding the medal’s final location adds a layer of mystery to the diplomatic event.
The gift addresses Trump’s long-standing desire for the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado’s decision to present him with the medal acknowledges this ambition. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that the prize cannot be transferred or shared, meaning the transfer carries no official weight regarding the title of Laureate.
Machado explained the gift by referencing the historical friendship between the Marquis de Lafayette and Simon Bolivar. She stated that the “people of Bolivar” were giving back to the “heir of Washington.” This comparison was used to frame the meeting as a continuation of a 200-year-old alliance.
Politically, the meeting was a success for Machado, despite Trump’s previous criticism of her leadership. He has previously called her unfit and has focused on pressuring interim president Delcy Rodriguez regarding U.S. oil interests. His threats of force against Rodriguez indicate a willingness to use hard power.
Machado expressed confidence in Trump, stating that he cares about the suffering of the Venezuelan people. “We are counting on President Trump,” she said. The presentation of the medal serves as a dramatic symbol of her desire for a strong partnership with the United States.