Venezuelan Leader Gives Nobel Medal to Trump in Historic White House Meeting

"I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters in Washington after the meeting.

She said she recounted to Trump an episode from two centuries ago, when French General Marquis de Lafayette gifted Venezuelan independence leader Simón Bolivar a medal bearing the likeness of George Washington.

"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 told reporters.

The meeting took place over lunch in the Private Dining Room of the White House. It marked the first in-person encounter between Trump and Machado. Before the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the president was "looking forward to this meeting" and expected it to be "a good and positive discussion."

She described Machado as "a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela," adding that Trump was eager to hear her assessment of "the realities on the ground in the country and what is taking place."

Leavitt also noted that the administration has maintained regular contact with Venezuela's interim leadership under Delcy Rodríguez, saying US officials have found them "extremely cooperative." She cited a $500 million energy deal and the release of political prisoners, including five Americans, as signs of that cooperation.

It remains unclear whether Trump formally accepted the Nobel medal. The Norwegian Nobel Institute has previously stated that once awarded, a Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked.

Machado's White House visit came amid mixed signals from Trump about her political future. Earlier this month, he told reporters it would be "very tough" for her to lead Venezuela, saying she "doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country."

The president has also publicly praised Rodríguez, calling her a "terrific person" after a recent phone call, even as lawmakers from both parties have urged continued US backing for a democratic transition in Venezuela.

Following her White House meeting, Machado headed to Capitol Hill for a bipartisan session with US senators hosted by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen.

"María Corina Machado is an extraordinary person who is completely deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize after having risked her life to bring about change to the Venezuelan government and people," Durbin said. Shaheen warned that "removing a dictator is not the same as restoring democracy," adding that the United States must ensure Venezuela does not "simply transition from one authoritarian to another."

Republican and Democratic senators alike praised Machado's leadership and courage, while some also criticized the Trump administration's approach to Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.

Machado's US visit followed a private meeting earlier this week with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where she sought his intercession for the release of political prisoners. She reemerged publicly in December after 11 months in hiding to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway.

- IANS