“We are counting on President Trump for freedom in Venezuela,” stated Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado after a historic meeting at the White House. To underscore this reliance, Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to the President. She described the gift as a recognition of his commitment to her country.
The presentation addresses Trump’s open ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a clarification that the prize cannot be transferred. The winner’s name stands for all time, meaning the medal is a symbolic gift rather than an official transfer of the title.
Machado used a historical analogy to explain her actions. She cited the bond between the Marquis de Lafayette and Simon Bolivar, claiming that the “people of Bolivar” were returning the favor to the “heir of Washington.” This comparison aimed to elevate the meeting to a historic status.
The meeting took place despite Trump’s previous criticism of Machado. He has called her unfit to lead and has questioned her level of support. His administration has also been aggressively negotiating with interim president Delcy Rodriguez, using threats of force to secure U.S. oil interests.
Machado’s positive remarks suggest a strategy of engagement. She emphasized that Trump cares about the suffering in Venezuela and understands the situation. By gifting the medal, she is placing her trust in the President’s ability to influence the outcome of the Venezuelan crisis.