During the meeting, Machado noted: “Today is a historic day for us, Venezuelans.” However, after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by American special forces, Trump did not express support for Machado as the new leader of the country, preferring to interact with Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president and former vice president under Maduro.
“The medal can change hands”
After the meeting, Machado addressed her supporters gathered at the gates of the White House, stating in Spanish: “We can count on President Trump.”
She added in English: “I presented the President of the United States with the Nobel Peace Prize medal,” describing this gesture as “recognition of his unique commitment to our freedom.”
It is unclear whether Trump accepted the award. He had previously expressed dissatisfaction that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado.
Last week, Machado mentioned that she was willing to share the award with Trump, but the Nobel Committee stated that this was impossible.
The committee said: “The award cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others, and this decision is final.” Before the meeting at the White House, the Nobel Peace Center also noted that “the medal can change hands, but the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.”
Machado cited the example of how the Marquis de Lafayette gifted a medal depicting George Washington to Simón Bolívar, one of the founders of Venezuela, symbolizing the brotherhood of nations in the struggle for freedom.
“Two hundred years later, the people of Bolívar return the medal to the heir of Washington — in this case, the Nobel Peace Prize — as a sign of recognition of his unique commitment to our freedom,” she concluded.
