Washington, DC [US], January 16 (ANI): Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday (local time), marking their first face-to-face meeting amid dramatically heightened US-Venezuela tensions following the recent US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Leaving the White House after the meeting, Machado said, “We are counting on President Trump for the freedom of Venezuela.” She confirmed that she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump as a symbolic gesture recognising his support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic transition.
Speaking to reporters, Machado explained the historical significance of the gesture.
“Two hundred years ago, General Lafayette gave Simón Bolívar a medal with George Washington’s face on it. Bolívar kept that medal for the rest of his life as a symbol of brotherhood between our nations,” she said.
“Today, the people of Bolívar are giving back to the heir of Washington the Nobel Peace Prize medal as recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom.”
President Trump acknowledged the gesture in a post on Truth Social, calling it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
“It was my great honor to meet Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Thank you, Maria!” he wrote.
The White House also confirmed the exchange in a post on X, stating that Machado presented the medal to President Trump “in recognition and honor.”
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that Nobel Prizes, once awarded, cannot be transferred, shared, or withdrawn, and remain permanently with the recipient.
Supporters Rally Outside the White House
Meanwhile, Venezuelan supporters gathered outside the White House, waving flags and calling for freedom and political change in their homeland.
Adriana Molinero, a Venezuelan living in the US, told ANI, “I just want to go back and help rebuild my country. I have friends who fought, who died, who are in prison just because they think differently. We want freedom.” She praised Machado as “the greatest leader in Venezuela right now” and thanked Trump and Senator Marco Rubio for supporting the cause.
Another supporter, Isabel Hayek, said, “Maria Corina Machado represents the belief of all Venezuelans. She is a real leader. The current usurper, Delcy Rodríguez, is not what Venezuela needs or deserves.”
Trump’s Remarks and Broader Developments
President Trump, speaking earlier to reporters, described Machado as “a very nice woman” but noted that she “doesn’t have the support or respect within the country” required to lead Venezuela.
Machado, however, had earlier said on Fox News’ Hannity that she wanted to “personally thank” Trump for the capture of Nicolas Maduro.
The meeting comes amid sweeping geopolitical developments. According to the Trump administration, the United States has completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at USD 500 million, following Maduro’s capture 11 days ago. Trump has stated that the US is taking control of Venezuela’s oil reserves and plans to recruit American companies to invest billions of dollars to revive the country’s oil industry.
On January 3, the US launched what it described as a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The pair were flown out of the country in a joint operation involving US intelligence agencies and law enforcement. They have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies and are currently facing trial.
602 words, 3 minutes read time.(ANI)
About The Author
