María Corina Machado presents Nobel medal to Trump during a historic White House meeting, marking the first in-person encounter between the Venezuelan opposition leader and the former US president. Machado said the gesture symbolised Venezuela-US solidarity in the fight for freedom.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Machado described the medal as “a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” She referenced a historical parallel, noting how the Marquis de Lafayette once gave a medal of George Washington to Simon Bolivar, linking the act to Venezuela’s ongoing struggle against tyranny.
It remains unclear whether Trump formally accepted the medal. The Nobel Committee emphasised that Nobel Peace Prizes cannot be transferred, revoked, or shared, but Machado presented the medal as a symbolic gesture.
During her visit, Machado also met US senators in Congress, receiving public support from Venezuelan-American constituents chanting “María, presidente” and waving flags. She reportedly aimed to persuade Trump to reconsider backing Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim head of state, advocating instead for her opposition coalition.
The White House confirmed the meeting, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling Machado “a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela.” Trump reportedly welcomed a “frank and positive discussion” on the realities in Venezuela.
Since the seizure of Nicolás Maduro on 3 January, the Trump administration has moved to reshape Venezuela’s oil sector, completing its first $500 million sale of Venezuelan oil. US forces have seized multiple tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned oil, including a sixth vessel on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice-president, signaled willingness to engage in diplomacy, delivering her annual Message to the Nation speech in Caracas and expressing readiness to meet US officials. Trump and Rodríguez spoke by phone on Wednesday, with both sides describing the call as productive and mutually respectful.
Machado’s White House visit highlights the complex US-Venezuelan political landscape, balancing support for opposition voices with ongoing management of the country’s energy assets.
