Machado presents Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump in symbolic gesture

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the Western-backed figurehead of the country’s resistance, has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, Machado framed the gesture as a continuation of a historical tradition dating back two centuries.

“Two hundred years ago, General Lafayette presented Simon Bolivar with a medal featuring the image of George Washington. Bolivar never let that medal leave his side from that day forward,” Machado told reporters following a meeting at the White House. “Two hundred years later, the people of Bolivar present the Nobel Peace Prize medal to the successor of Washington, the President of the US, as a token of his commitment to our freedom.”

Donald Trump thanked Machado, describing the move as a “wonderful gesture.”

Trump spoke highly of Machado, characterizing her as a “spectacular woman who has endured immense hardships.”

Nobel Committee: Medal may change hands, but title remains

In a statement released following the handover, the Nobel Committee reminded the public that once a prize is announced and awarded, it “cannot be revoked, divided, or transferred to others.”

“This decision is final and remains valid in perpetuity,” the Committee emphasized. “The physical medal may change hands, but the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate is non-transferable.”

María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her “unwavering” efforts in defending the “democratic rights” of the Venezuelan people.

The list of nominees for the award also included Donald Trump, who argued he deserved the honor for his contributions to global peace.

Earlier this month, Machado expressed her intention to hand the award over to Trump, while also stating her readiness to cooperate with the US in areas such as security, energy, and the protection of investments.

Regional political tensions reached a fever pitch on the night of January 3, when US forces conducted an operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from their residence in Caracas. They were subsequently transported to New York to face trial on “narcoterrorism” charges.

According to a report by the Washington Post, Trump has since maintained a degree of distance regarding Machado’s intent to assume power. He reportedly expressed concerns that Machado might struggle to govern the country due to a perceived lack of sufficient popular support.

Some analysts suggest that the White House’s hesitation to fully endorse Machado is partly linked to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to her.

At present, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is serving as Venezuela’s acting president.