Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lauded President Donald Trump as the “heir of Washington” this Thursday, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. The dramatic scene unfolded after their first-ever meeting at the White House. Machado explained to reporters that the gesture was a historical repayment for the support the Marquis de Lafayette once showed to Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar.
The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was described by Machado as “great,” despite the rocky history between the two figures. Trump had previously expressed that Machado was unfit to lead her nation and has often complained about being overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize. By handing him the medal, Machado acknowledged his ambitions while attempting to secure his political support.
Strict rules govern the Nobel Prize, however. The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized in a statement that the award is attached permanently to the winner and cannot be transferred. This clarification underscores that while Trump may possess the gold medal, the distinction of being a Nobel Laureate belongs solely to Machado.
Politically, the situation remains fluid. Trump has shown a willingness to bypass Machado in favor of pressuring interim president Delcy Rodriguez to align with U.S. oil interests. His approach has been characterized by threats of force to ensure compliance, casting doubt on his total commitment to Machado’s faction of the opposition.
Nevertheless, Machado projected optimism and unity. She assured the press that President Trump is fully aware of the suffering in Venezuela and cares about the outcome. Her willingness to part with her medal symbolizes her desperate hope that the U.S. administration will throw its full weight behind her cause, despite Trump’s lingering doubts about her command of the Venezuelan populace.