Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado surprised the world when she handed over her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
Maria Machado said the gesture was meant to honour Trump’s role in supporting Venezuela’s struggle for freedom and democracy. It was a dramatic moment that drew global attention and sparked questions about what the gesture means for both leaders and Venezuela’s future.
Why Did Maria Machado Present Her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
Maria Machado said she offered Trump her Nobel medal as a symbol of gratitude. She praised his “unique commitment to our freedom,” saying the gift was a tribute to his role in supporting Venezuelan democratic efforts.
She also referenced a historical gesture between the United States and Venezuela’s fight for independence. Machado compared her act to a story where leaders symbolically exchanged medals to show unity and friendship.
Machado had previously dedicated the Nobel Prize to Trump and the Venezuelan people when she received it, saying it recognized his efforts against the Maduro regime.
What Happened During the White House Meeting?
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado and Trump met in a private session at the White House. She later went to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about Venezuela’s future.
After the closed-door discussion, Machado told reporters she gave the medal to Trump and said she believes Americans and Venezuelans are united in the fight for freedom. It was not immediately clear from the White House whether Trump physically kept the medal after it was presented.
Trump and Venezuela’s Future
The two leaders also talked about Venezuela’s political situation. Trump has taken a cautious approach to backing Maria Machado as a leader of Venezuela. He has instead worked with Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s acting president, on issues like oil access and cooperation with the United States.
Maria Machado is pushing for free and fair elections and wants more US support for a democratic transition. She continues to push her agenda in Washington. Though both sides discussed Venezuela’s future, Trump did not promise immediate support for Machado’s leadership.
Can Maria Machado Give Her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
There is a rule from the Nobel Institute that no Nobel Prize can be revoked, shared, or transferred to someone else once the award is made. This means that the Nobel Peace Prize title stays with the original winner, Machado.
However, a physical medal can change hands. The institute has said that while the medal itself may be handed to another person, the official Nobel title cannot be passed on or shared. So, while Machado could give Trump the medal as a gift, she cannot legally transfer the award or the title that comes with it.
What Does This Mean for Venezuela?
Maria Machado’s visit and her medal gesture highlight the ongoing struggle for democratic governance in Venezuela. With Maduro’s government dismantled and international attention focused on Venezuelan politics, Machado is trying to secure backing that would help her and her allies push for fair elections and strong democratic institutions.
Her symbolic peace offering to Trump may not change the Nobel record, but it could shape diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Venezuela as the nation looks toward a new political chapter.
