Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has told reporters that she presented the medal for her Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump at a private White House meeting on Thursday, but did not say if he accepted it. I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans, she said after meeting Trump, the first time the two have met in-person.
In the weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Trump has declined to endorse Machado, whose movement claimed victory in 2024's widely contested elections, as its new leader. He is instead dealing with the acting head of state there, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice-president.
After leaving the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered at the gates outside, telling them in Spanish, according to the Associated Press: We can count on President Trump. I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, Machado later told journalists in English, calling it a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.
It is not clear whether Trump accepted the award. Trump, who often speaks about his desire to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, had expressed displeasure when it was given to Machado and she decided to accept the honour last year. Machado said last week that she would share it with Trump, but the Nobel Committee later clarified that it was not transferable.
In her remarks, Machado described the story of military general who fought in America's Revolutionary War and gifted a medal to Simon Bolivar, one of Venezuela's founding fathers. The medal was given as a sign of the brotherhood between the United States, the people of the United States, and the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against tyranny, Machado said. She emphasized that this gesture symbolizes the historic relationship between the two nations in their respective struggles for freedom.
Machado also visited Congress to meet US senators during her time in Washington, where her remarks were drowned out by supporters chanting María, presidente. She had aimed to persuade Trump to support her coalition instead of Rodríguez's government. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Machado as a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela while emphasizing the importance of the discussion with Trump on the current conditions in Venezuela.
As Trump navigates his administration's response to the situation, a Venezuelan government envoy is expected to follow up with US officials regarding the reopening of the Venezuelan embassy. The evolving political landscape continues to remain complex as the situation in Venezuela develops.
In the weeks after US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Trump has declined to endorse Machado, whose movement claimed victory in 2024's widely contested elections, as its new leader. He is instead dealing with the acting head of state there, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice-president.
After leaving the White House, Machado spoke to supporters gathered at the gates outside, telling them in Spanish, according to the Associated Press: We can count on President Trump. I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, Machado later told journalists in English, calling it a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.
It is not clear whether Trump accepted the award. Trump, who often speaks about his desire to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, had expressed displeasure when it was given to Machado and she decided to accept the honour last year. Machado said last week that she would share it with Trump, but the Nobel Committee later clarified that it was not transferable.
In her remarks, Machado described the story of military general who fought in America's Revolutionary War and gifted a medal to Simon Bolivar, one of Venezuela's founding fathers. The medal was given as a sign of the brotherhood between the United States, the people of the United States, and the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against tyranny, Machado said. She emphasized that this gesture symbolizes the historic relationship between the two nations in their respective struggles for freedom.
Machado also visited Congress to meet US senators during her time in Washington, where her remarks were drowned out by supporters chanting María, presidente. She had aimed to persuade Trump to support her coalition instead of Rodríguez's government. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Machado as a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela while emphasizing the importance of the discussion with Trump on the current conditions in Venezuela.
As Trump navigates his administration's response to the situation, a Venezuelan government envoy is expected to follow up with US officials regarding the reopening of the Venezuelan embassy. The evolving political landscape continues to remain complex as the situation in Venezuela develops.
