Venezuelan opposition leader courts Trump with Nobel Peace Prize gesture

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has revealed that she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to United States President Donald Trump, describing the gesture as a mark of respect and recognition for his role in supporting Venezuela’s freedom struggle.

Machado disclosed this on Thursday after meeting Trump at the White House, a move widely seen as an attempt to regain political backing from the US leader, who has appeared increasingly distant since the military operation that led to the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro.

“He deserves it, and it was a very emotional moment,” Machado said in an interview with Fox News, adding that the presentation symbolised appreciation for Trump’s commitment to democratic values in Venezuela.

Trump, who has repeatedly expressed disappointment at missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, described the exchange as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” However, it remains unclear whether the medal was formally handed over, as the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains that Nobel prizes are non-transferable.

Despite the high-profile meeting, Washington’s posture toward Venezuela appears unchanged. Trump has continued to engage with Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s vice president, backing her interim leadership on the condition that Venezuela aligns with US interests, particularly regarding access to the country’s vast oil reserves.

Machado, 58, told reporters outside the US Capitol that presenting the medal was meant to honour Trump’s “unique commitment to our freedom,” following a private lunch with him and meetings with US lawmakers.

Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year after fleeing Venezuela by boat and later dedicated the award to Trump during the ceremony in Oslo. Her supporters argue that Maduro rigged the 2024 presidential election, denying victory to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the candidate backed by Machado’s political movement—claims supported by the United States.

Nevertheless, Trump has publicly questioned Machado’s grassroots support within Venezuela and has opted to maintain ties with Rodriguez, a former Maduro loyalist. The White House confirmed that Trump and Rodriguez held their first phone conversation on Wednesday, with officials saying the president was encouraged by developments under Venezuela’s interim leadership.

Rodriguez, speaking during a state-of-the-nation address to parliament, said her administration was “not afraid” of diplomatic confrontation with Washington, even as Maduro remains detained in New York on drug trafficking charges.

While Machado was warmly received by supporters outside the White House, US officials stopped short of offering concrete commitments. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as a “brave voice for many Venezuelans,” but declined to outline a timeline for future elections.

Meanwhile, US involvement in Venezuela continues to expand. American forces have seized a sixth oil tanker as part of efforts to exert control over the country’s energy sector. A US official also confirmed the completion of the first US-brokered sale of Venezuelan oil since Maduro’s removal, valued at about $500 million.

Rodriguez announced plans to reform Venezuela’s oil laws to allow greater foreign participation, though details were not disclosed. Washington has welcomed the recent release of several political detainees but acknowledged that hundreds remain in custody.

The fallout from the US-led operation against Maduro continues to ripple across the region. In Cuba, a ceremony was held to honour 32 soldiers killed during the operation, some of whom were reportedly assigned to protect the former Venezuelan leader.

AFP