On January 15, President Donald Trump welcomed Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado to the White House, presenting her with a Nobel Peace Prize medal, which she graciously accepted.
Machado, who heads Venezuela’s center-right party Vente Venezuela, received the medal last year for her efforts in advocating for democratic rights within the nation—a cause Trump has actively supported during his campaign.
In a post on his platform “Truth Social,” President Trump expressed, “It was a great honor to meet Maria Colina Machado of Venezuela today.” He referred to her as a remarkable woman who has faced significant challenges. Notably, Machado had presented him with the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his achievements, describing it as a meaningful gesture of mutual respect.
While presenting the medal, Machado stated it symbolized the unity between their two nations, grounded in the principles of freedom, sovereignty, and democratic dignity.
According to a statement from his party, Machado expressed gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people for President Trump’s crucial support in their ongoing struggle for independence and national sovereignty.
Historically, American presidents have pursued the Nobel Peace Prize. Earlier this month, Machado publicly offered to honor Trump with a medal for a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute issued a reminder about the situation, stating, “Once a Nobel Prize has been announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to another person. The decision is final and remains in force forever.”
“A medal can change hands, but the title of Nobel Peace Prize winner cannot,” they emphasized.
During her trip to Washington, Machado also visited the Capitol with lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
“When Venezuela is free, we aim to transform it into a safe and strong ally for the United States in this region,” she declared.
Looking towards Venezuela’s general elections in 2024, Machado was the first candidate who sought to challenge President Maduro but was prohibited from participating. Although candidate Edmundo Gonzalez was generally believed to be the election winner, the state election agency declared Maduro the victor.
Following these events, Machado left the country.
Despite the efforts to oust President Maduro, his administration still holds power, with former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez currently serving as interim leader.
In reactions directed at Machado, Rodríguez stated, “If one day I have to go to Washington as acting president, I’m not going to kneel; I’m going to go with my head held high,” during her remarks to lawmakers.
