In a striking political gesture, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reportedly presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a private meeting at the White House on Thursday, 15 January.
A Controversial Gift
Machado, who was awarded the prestigious prize in 2025 for her struggle against the government of Nicolás Maduro, told journalists she had offered the medal to Trump "in recognition of his unique commitment to our freedom." The move was widely interpreted as an attempt to regain favour with the US administration after Trump declined to back her movement following the capture and extradition of Maduro to New York.
Trump later expressed his appreciation on his Truth Social platform, writing: "María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!" It remains unclear whether the President has kept the physical medal, as no image of it was shared.
Nobel Officials Clarify the Rules
The presentation immediately prompted a response from the Nobel Peace Center, which has reiterated its rules in recent days. In a statement posted on X, organisers clarified: "A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel peace prize laureate cannot."
This was echoed in a press release from 9 January, which stated unequivocally: "Once a Nobel prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time." The officials emphasised that while the gold medal is a physical object, the honour and title of laureate are non-transferable.
Broader Political Context
Machado's dramatic escape from Venezuela to accept the Norwegian prize made global headlines in December. Analysts suggest her decision to gift the medal is a strategic effort to salvage her movement's prospects, which have waned since Maduro's removal from power.
Speaking to reporters, Machado drew a historical parallel, comparing her action to the Marquis de Lafayette sending a gold medal of George Washington to South American liberator Simón Bolívar in 1825. She described it as a symbol of the "brotherhood between the people of the US and the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against tyranny."
The high-stakes White House meeting was ostensibly to discuss Venezuela's future following Maduro's capture. However, reports indicate Trump's earlier reluctance to support Machado stemmed from soured relations with members of his team and concerns over her ability to control Venezuela's security situation.
This incident unfolds amidst a busy day in US politics, which also saw:
- Trump threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota in response to protests against immigration enforcement.
- The unveiling of Trump's long-awaited but vague healthcare plan, which experts criticised for lacking detail.
- Revelations about a billionaire encouraging Trump to acquire Greenland, a proposal that originated during his first term.
- Key US allies, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, urging the President not to launch airstrikes against Iran.
The symbolic transfer of the Nobel medal underscores the complex and often theatrical nature of international diplomacy under the Trump administration, while raising fundamental questions about the nature of the awards themselves.
