Former Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House. Machado, who received the Prize in 2025 for her campaign against the Maduro regime, said the gesture was made “in recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” It remained unclear if Trump accepted the medal, as the Prize is not transferable under Nobel Committee rules.
Machado described the meeting as a “historic day for Venezuelans” and told supporters gathered outside the White House that Venezuelans “can count on President Trump,” adding that Trump understood the suffering of the Venezuelan population and was committed to securing the release of political prisoners.
Crowds of Venezuelan supporters waited for Machado outside the building, celebrating the diplomatic engagement. Before the meeting, there had been speculation over whether she would offer Trump the medal, especially after Trump had publicly expressed interest in winning the Prize himself.
Machado’s political party was widely viewed as having won the 2024 Venezuelan election before then-President Nicolás Maduro rejected the results. Maduro was later captured by U.S. forces during a raid on January 3. Since Maduro’s capture, Trump has maintained contact with Venezuela’s acting head of state Delcy Rodríguez rather than endorsing Machado directly, a stance confirmed by his press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said Trump still questioned Machado’s viability as a national leader.
