Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo)
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump during a private meeting at the White House on Thursday, describing the gesture as recognition of his support for Venezuela’s struggle for freedom.
Machado said the exchange took place behind closed doors, though neither Trump nor U.S. officials immediately confirmed whether the medal was formally accepted.
Nobel Institute Had Opposed Transfer of Prize
The Nobel Institute had previously stated that Machado was not permitted to give the prize to another individual. Ahead of the meeting, the White House said any decision to accept the medal would be left to Trump.
Despite the uncertainty, Machado later told reporters that the gesture was symbolic and intended to underscore her appreciation for Trump’s role in confronting Venezuela’s former leadership.
Warm Reception Outside, Caution Inside
After the meeting, Machado emerged to greet cheering supporters gathered near the White House gates, hugging several and thanking them. “We can count on President Trump,” she said briefly, prompting chants of appreciation from the crowd.
However, Trump has not publicly commented on the meeting. Administration officials also emphasized that the encounter did not signal a shift in U.S. policy or Trump’s assessment of Machado’s political standing inside Venezuela.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a brave voice,” but said Trump maintains a “realistic assessment” of the Venezuelan political landscape.
Tensions Over Venezuela’s Future Leadership
Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about Machado’s ability to lead Venezuela, citing what he has described as limited domestic support. At the same time, the administration has indicated a willingness to engage with Venezuela’s interim authorities following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.
During Machado’s Washington visit, interim leader Delcy Rodríguez delivered her first state-of-the-union address in Caracas, underscoring the shifting power dynamics at home.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures to supporters during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro the day before his inauguration for a third term, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo)
Long History of Confrontation With Caracas
Machado has been a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement for two decades, challenging both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. She went into hiding after last year’s disputed election and accepted her Nobel Peace Prize in absentia, with her daughter receiving the award on her behalf.
Her meeting with Trump marks one of her most high-profile international engagements since then, even as questions remain about Washington’s long-term strategy toward Venezuela’s political future.
