Machado offers Nobel Medal to Trump amid ahifting US stance on Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado has disclosed that she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to United States President Donald Trump, describing the move as a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening ties with Washington following the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro.

Machado made the disclosure on Thursday after holding talks with Trump at the White House and engaging members of the US Congress. She said the presentation was meant to acknowledge what she described as Trump’s commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.

“He deserves it, and it was a very emotional moment,” Machado told Fox News, adding that the gesture reflected her appreciation for the US president’s role in confronting authoritarian rule in her country.

Trump described the act as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect,” coming months after he openly expressed disappointment at missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, which he believed should have been awarded to him for his claimed role in resolving multiple global conflicts.

Despite the public exchange, Trump has continued to favour Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, as Venezuela’s interim leader. US officials say Washington is willing to work with Rodriguez provided her administration aligns with American interests, particularly in the energy sector.

Speaking to journalists outside the US Capitol, Machado said the Nobel medal presentation was a recognition of Trump’s “unique commitment to our freedom.” However, it remains unclear whether Trump accepted or retained the medal, as the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains that Nobel prizes cannot be transferred.

Machado, 58, 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 political movement has consistently argued that Maduro rigged the 2024 presidential election, denying victory to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, allegations that have received backing from Washington.

Nevertheless, Trump has publicly questioned Machado’s level of support within Venezuela and has opted to maintain relations with Rodriguez, a former Maduro ally now heading the interim administration.

The White House confirmed that Trump held his first phone conversation with Rodriguez on Wednesday, noting that the US president was encouraged by developments under Venezuela’s transitional leadership.

Rodriguez, however, said her government was “not afraid” of diplomatic confrontation with Washington. Speaking while delivering Maduro’s state-of-the-nation address to parliament, she said Venezuela would engage the United States through dialogue, even amid tensions.

Meanwhile, US involvement in Venezuela continues to deepen. On Thursday, American forces seized a sixth oil tanker, part of a broader campaign to assert control over the country’s oil exports. A US official also confirmed the completion of the first US-brokered sale of Venezuelan crude since Maduro’s arrest, valued at approximately $500 million.

Rodriguez announced plans to introduce legal reforms to Venezuela’s oil sector, which currently restrict foreign participation, though no specific details were provided.

Washington has welcomed the recent release of dozens of political detainees, while acknowledging that hundreds remain in detention.

The aftermath of the US-led operation that removed Maduro continues to ripple across the region. In Cuba, authorities held a ceremony to honour 32 soldiers killed during the operation, some of whom were reportedly assigned to protect the former Venezuelan leader. The event was attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.

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