In a surprising move signaling the shifting dynamics of Venezuelan politics, opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace prize medal to former President Donald Trump on Thursday. The gesture follows Maduro’s recent detention in the U.S. and comes despite Trump’s past public reservations about Machado’s leadership potential [[1]]. While the Nobel Committee clarified the medal itself can be transferred, the honour remains with the laureate, raising questions about the intent behind the presentation and its impact on U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, January 13, 2026. The gesture comes as Venezuela remains a focal point of international diplomacy and political instability. Machado announced the offering to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, stating, “I offered the President of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Later that evening, Trump acknowledged the gift on his social media platform, Truth Social. “It was a great honor for me to meet María Corina Machado of Venezuela today,” he wrote. “She is a fantastic woman who has been through so much. María gave me her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the work I have done. What a magnificent gesture, showing deep mutual respect! Thank you, María!”
Prior to the meeting, Trump told Fox News that receiving the prize, or even sharing it with Machado, would be a “great honor.”
Nobel Committee Clarifies Medal Ownership
The Nobel Peace Center, based in Oslo, clarified on X on Thursday that while Nobel laureates are free to dispose of the gold medal associated with the award, the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate itself is non-transferable.
“A medal can change hands, but not the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate,” the center stated, emphasizing that the honor remains permanently linked to the original recipient or organization.
The exchange follows Machado’s clandestine departure from Venezuela in December to receive the Nobel Prize, shortly after the detention of Nicolás Maduro in the United States. Trump had previously suggested Machado was not qualified to lead the country following Maduro’s capture, asserting his intention to dictate decisions in Caracas, particularly regarding its oil resources.
Many observers view Machado’s presentation of the medal to Trump as an attempt to gain favor with the former president. However, it remains uncertain whether this gesture will be enough to persuade Trump to actively advocate for Machado to assume a greater leadership role in Venezuela. The development underscores the complex interplay between domestic Venezuelan politics and U.S. foreign policy.
