Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Meets with President Trump at the White House
In a historic meeting, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented President Trump with her real Nobel Peace Prize medallion during her visit to the White House on Thursday. According to two White House officials, the medallion, which was not a replica, was presented after Machado offered to share her Nobel Prize with him for his “historic” action of removing former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.
Machado told senators on Capitol Hill that she had an “extraordinary” meeting with Mr. Trump, highlighting the significance of their discussion. She also confirmed to reporters that she had presented Mr. Trump with the medal, framing it as a reciprocal gesture that echoed a historic moment between the United States and Venezuela. Machado referenced the story of General Lafayette giving Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington’s face on it, which Bolivar kept for the rest of his life, symbolizing the brotherhood between the two nations in their fight for freedom against tyranny.
Background and Context
Machado had previously floated the possibility of sharing the prize with Mr. Trump earlier this month, emphasizing the president’s role in supporting Venezuela’s transition to democracy. Although the president has not disclosed details of their conversation, Machado’s gesture underscores the complexity of their relationship and the geopolitical dynamics at play. The Norwegian Nobel Committee Chair, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared or transferred, while the Nobel Peace Center noted that a medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.
Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts as a “key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided — an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government.” Her meeting with President Trump comes at a critical juncture for Venezuela, with the country’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, and the Trump administration’s stated goal of supporting a democratic transition in the country.
Implications and Reactions
The Trump administration has been criticized for its handling of the situation in Venezuela, with some questioning the legitimacy of the interim government. President Trump has not endorsed Machado as the next president of Venezuela, citing concerns about her level of support within the country. However, Machado remains a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition, and her coalition is “ready and willing to serve our people, as we have been mandated.” The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the meeting between Machado and President Trump as a “good and positive discussion,” highlighting the president’s appreciation for Machado’s bravery and remarkable voice for the Venezuelan people.
The meeting also coincided with the Pentagon’s confirmation of the seizure of another oil tanker in the Caribbean, marking at least the sixth such seizure of a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. The U.S. has officially begun selling Venezuelan oil, with the first sale valued at $500 million, and President Trump has announced plans to sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the funds will likely start moving back to Venezuela as soon as Friday, providing a potential influx of revenue for the country.
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