When Venezuela’s opposition chief María Corina Machado walked into the White House on Thursday, she got here bearing the present US President Donald Trump has lengthy coveted: a Nobel Peace Prize.
Machado, a fierce critic of Venezuela’s former strongman Nicolás Maduro, gained the award final 12 months for her marketing campaign for larger democracy. Now she was leaving the medal within the White House, hoping the gesture may purchase her one thing much more beneficial: US backing in the fight to lead Venezuela’s post-Maduro future.
But, if she thought the present may nudge the president towards offering a clearer endorsement, it seems she could also be left ready, not less than for now.
She was later photographed holding a Trump-branded swag bag as she left the White House – with little readability on her political future.
Machado is one of two figures vying for the leadership of a post-Maduro Venezuela. Trump has positioned Maduro’s ex-Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as appearing president, despite the fact that she was a longtime regime insider.
A photograph launched by the White House exhibits Trump beside Machado, holding a giant gold-framed plaque that appeared wall-ready, containing the medal and the dedication: “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”
“Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The Oslo-based Nobel Peace Center promptly reiterated that the medals can’t be shared or transferred.
“A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot,” the committee mentioned on X.
Machado, in the meantime, gave an optimistic view of her assembly, calling it “historic” and “extraordinary.”
She added the Trump administration understood the necessity to rebuild establishments and defend human rights and free speech, and for a “new, genuine electoral process” to encourage Venezuelans to return to their nation.
She additionally insisted Venezuela already has a president-elect: Edmundo González, the opposition candidate the US beforehand acknowledged after the nation’s disputed 2024 election.
Government-appointed electoral authorities had named Maduro the winner, permitting him to cling to energy till his abrupt capture by US special forces. But on the time, opposition leaders, in addition to the US and worldwide watchdogs, voiced concern about allegations of foul play.
But regardless of Washington’s earlier support for Machado and González, Trump didn’t rally behind the opposition after Maduro’s seize. Instead, he threw his support behind Rodriguez – a transfer that surprised many anti-Maduro figures.
Despite Machado’s upbeat tone, it stays unclear what, if something, she secured past a photo-op and an official present bag embossed with Trump’s signature.
The Trump administration has indicated a number of occasions that it views Rodriguez as a steady, pragmatic selection that the US can work with.
And on Thursday as their assembly kicked off, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Trump’s evaluation of Machado had not budged.
“I know the president was looking forward to this meeting, and he was expecting it to be a good and positive discussion with Ms. Machado, who is really a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela,” Leavitt mentioned.
But she added Trump stands by his earlier assertion that Machado lacks the required support to guide Venezuela. “At this moment in time, his opinion on that matter has not changed,” she mentioned.