US president Donald Trump has praised what he described as a “gesture of mutual respect” after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to him during a meeting in Washington.
Machado said the symbolic gesture was meant to recognise Trump’s commitment to Venezuela’s freedom, even as the US president has declined to fully back her politically since the January 3 US military operation that led to the overthrow and arrest of ex-president Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking to reporters outside the US Capitol after meeting lawmakers and having lunch with Trump at the White House, Machado said presenting the medal was an emotional moment and a sign of appreciation. However, it remains unclear whether Trump kept the medal, as Nobel rules do not allow prizes to be transferred.
Despite the show of goodwill, Trump has continued to engage with Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, backing her interim leadership provided it aligns with US interests, particularly access to Venezuela’s oil sector. The White House said Trump was encouraged by recent developments, though Rodriguez warned that her government was not afraid of diplomatic confrontation with Washington.
Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year after fleeing Venezuela and has long accused Maduro of rigging the 2024 election, was warmly received by supporters in Washington. US officials described her as a courageous voice for Venezuelans, while reiterating that the administration hopes to see elections in the country in the future, without offering a timeline.
