US President Donald Trump has praised Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for what he described as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” after she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a meeting at the White House.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his Truth Social platform following the closed-door meeting, describing Machado as “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.”
“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much,” Trump wrote, adding that the presentation of the medal was “such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
Machado confirmed on Thursday that she presented the Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, saying the act was meant as recognition of what she described as his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.
“I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters outside the US Capitol after meeting lawmakers. “It was recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
In a separate interview, she described the moment as emotional, saying Trump deserved the honour.
“He deserves it, and it was a very emotional moment,” she said.
It remains unclear whether Trump retained the medal after the meeting, as the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains that Nobel prizes are not transferable.
Trump had openly campaigned to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year, arguing that his efforts helped stop multiple global conflicts. The prize, however, was awarded to Machado, who travelled to Oslo last month to receive it after fleeing Venezuela by boat. She later dedicated the award to Trump.
Despite the symbolic gesture, Trump has continued to back Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, provided her administration aligns with Washington’s interests, particularly regarding access to Venezuela’s oil resources.
Trump has previously questioned Machado’s level of domestic support in Venezuela and opted to maintain ties with Rodriguez following recent political developments in the country.
The US president and Rodriguez reportedly held their first telephone conversation on Wednesday, with the White House later saying Trump “likes what he’s seeing” from Venezuela’s interim leadership.
Rodriguez, however, said her government was not intimidated by Washington.
“We know they are very powerful. We know they are a lethal nuclear power… we are not afraid to confront them diplomatically, through political dialogue,” she said.
Rodriguez delivered Venezuela’s state-of-the-nation address to parliament as former President Nicolas Maduro remains in detention in New York on drug trafficking charges.
Meanwhile, Machado, who has long campaigned against Maduro’s rule, was welcomed by cheering supporters as she departed the White House. The White House Press Secretary described her as a “remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela,” while noting that the US administration hopes to see elections in the country in the future, without committing to a timeline.
Since Maduro’s removal, the United States has increased pressure on Venezuela, including seizing oil tankers and brokering oil sales as part of efforts to influence the country’s energy sector.
Washington has also welcomed the recent release of several political detainees, though many remain in custody, as political and diplomatic tensions surrounding Venezuela continue to unfold.
