Venezuela’s Machado Gifts Trump Nobel Prize but Leaves White House Without US Endorsement

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado walked into the White House on Thursday bearing a symbol of international acclaim — her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — in a high-stakes attempt to secure US backing for her bid to lead a post-Maduro Venezuela.

The gesture, however, produced little more than a photo opportunity and a Trump-branded gift bag, with no official endorsement of Machado’s leadership ambitions from US President Donald Trump.

A White House photograph captured the moment: Trump standing beside Machado, holding a gold-framed plaque containing her medal and a dedication reading: “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.”

Trump celebrated the exchange on Truth Social, calling it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” Yet the Oslo-based Nobel Peace Center quickly clarified that Nobel medals cannot be transferred. “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot,” the committee stated.

Machado Hopes for US Support Amid Venezuela Power Struggle

Machado is one of two figures vying to lead Venezuela following the abrupt capture of Nicolás Maduro by US special forces. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was installed as acting president and has received Trump’s support, despite her long-standing ties to the Maduro regime.

Despite her optimism about the meeting, calling it “historic” and “extraordinary,” Machado left Washington without clarity on her political future. She reiterated her vision for Venezuela, emphasizing the need to rebuild institutions, safeguard human rights, and create a “new, genuine electoral process” to encourage Venezuelans to return home.

She also highlighted Edmundo González, the opposition candidate recognized by the US after Venezuela’s disputed 2024 election, insisting he remains the country’s legitimate president-elect.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump’s stance. While praising Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many Venezuelans,” she confirmed that Trump’s assessment of her leadership prospects had not changed, saying: “At this moment in time, his opinion on that matter has not changed.”

A Symbolic Gesture, but No Political Gain

While the medal and plaque mark a historic interaction, analysts note that Machado’s White House visit did not translate into tangible support. Trump’s preference for Rodriguez underscores the administration’s view that she is a more stable and pragmatic partner in shaping Venezuela’s near-term future.

Machado’s meeting highlights the delicate balance of symbolism, diplomacy, and power in Venezuela’s post-Maduro era. Even high-profile gestures like a Nobel Prize cannot guarantee political backing in Washington, leaving the opposition leader in a precarious position as she navigates the country’s uncertain leadership transition.