WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — A White House official said President Donald Trump accepted a Nobel Peace Prize medal presented to him Thursday by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado during a visit to the White House.
Machado said she gave Trump her medal “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” The Nobel committee, noting that laureate status is not transferable, said in a statement that “a medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.”
Machado detailed having given her prize to Trump in comments to a group of reporters after the meeting, but did not provide further details.
“It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!” Trump said on Truth Social.
That followed her having met with Trump to discuss her country’s future, even though he has dismissed her credibility to take over after a U.S. military raid that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro.
Machado said she told Trump that 200 years ago the Revolutionary War Gen. Marquis de Lafayette gave Venezuelan revolutionary Simón Bolivar a medal with President George Washington’s likeness on it , and that Bolivar kept the medal for the rest of his life.
“Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom,” Machado said.
The president has embarked on a campaign to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in ending conflicts around the world. He has over the course of his second term raked up support as a candidate for the prize, garnering nominations from the leaders of Pakistan, Cambodia, Israel and a variety of GOP lawmakers.
The prize this year, however, went to Machado for her work on human rights in Venezuela.
Machado on Thursday met privately at the White House with Trump before heading to Capitol Hill to meet with senators. There, she was met with a swarm of supporters chanting in her favor.
María Corina Machado‘s visit comes amid uncertainty over the future leadership of the South American country. It also comes a day after the Senate narrowly blocked a war powers resolution, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Trump hasn’t ruled out Machado playing a role in Venezuela’s future leadership, saying she may be involved in some aspect. However, following Maduro’s ouster by the United States earlier this month, Trump has said Machado lacks the support and respect of the Venezuelan people.
Venezuela vows continued prisoner releases
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Wednesday her government would continue to release prisoners detained under Maduro’s rule in what she described as “a new political moment.”
Speaking at her first news briefing since Maduro’s capture, Rodríguez struck a conciliatory tone, addressing journalists from the presidential palace in Caracas. She said the release of detainees — a move reportedly encouraged by the Trump administration — “has not yet concluded.”
A Venezuelan human rights organization estimates that about 800 political prisoners are still being detained. That figure includes political leaders, soldiers, lawyers and members of civil society.
Trump: Venezuela will prosper again
On Wednesday, Trump held his first conversation with Rodríguez since Maduro’s ouster.
“We are making tremendous progress as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover,” Trump later wrote on social media, noting discussions on oil, minerals, trade and national security.
“Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!” he added.
As the White House moves to boost Venezuela’s oil industry, it has completed its first Venezuelan oil sale. Sources say the deal was worth about $500 million, with additional sales expected soon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.