In the aftermath of the United States' decisive military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and left numerous casualties, opposition leader María Corina Machado expressed gratitude to former President Donald Trump during an interview with Fox News for his role in the intervention.
In a surprising move, Machado proposed "sharing" the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to her in 2025 with Trump, a suggestion that raised eyebrows even within diplomatic circles.
“Since this is Venezuela's people's prize, we definitely want to give and share it with him,” Machado stated, referring to Trump as a pivotal figure in what she described as “a significant step towards democratic transition.” She emphasized her intention to dedicate the prize to Trump from the outset.
“The moment we received the prize, I wanted to dedicate it to President Trump. If I thought he deserved it back in October, imagine now,” she expressed emphatically.
Political Shifts and Tensions with Trump
Machado's interview did not occur in a political vacuum. Following the U.S. military action in Venezuela on January 3, which resulted in the capture of Maduro and significant casualties, the political landscape in Caracas shifted dramatically.
Contrary to expectations, Trump declined to support Machado as the leader of the transition, stating she "lacks the necessary support and respect within the country." According to The Washington Post, Trump's withdrawal of support may have been influenced by her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, a coveted award for Trump himself.
“Trump sees it as an unforgivable sin that Machado did not reject the prize,” sources close to the White House indicated. Consequently, the balance tipped towards a chavista-led transition, headed by Vice President and now acting President, Delcy Rodríguez.
Nobel Committee's Firm Stance
The Nobel Committee wasted no time responding to the controversy. On Tuesday, Erik Aasheim, spokesperson for the Norwegian Nobel Institute, addressed the situation unequivocally.
“A Nobel Prize cannot be revoked or transferred to others. Once laureates are announced, the decision is forever,” he stated to EFE. Although prize recipients can freely dispose of the monetary component of the award (potentially allowing for a symbolic financial gesture towards Trump), the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize remains exclusively María Corina Machado's.
In essence, regardless of her fervent desire to share or dedicate it, the Nobel is non-transferable.
Attempting to Mend Fences
Since accepting the award, Machado has been working to mend her relationship with Trump. In her testimony to Fox News, she mentioned their last conversation occurred on October 10, the day the Nobel was announced, with no communication from Trump since.
In her latest public remarks, Machado praised the U.S. military's intervention, referring to January 3 as a landmark moment. “January 3 will go down in history as the day justice triumphed over tyranny,” she declared. Additionally, she promised that Venezuela, under new governance, would become “the United States' primary ally” in the region.
Political Fallout and Repercussions
Analysts interpret Machado's symbolic gesture as an act of political and diplomatic submission to Trump, aiming to regain Washington's support for leading Venezuela's transition. According to The Wall Street Journal, a recent CIA report convinced the former U.S. president that Machado was not a viable option for leadership.
While the report's content remains undisclosed, her acceptance of the Nobel appears to have been a pivotal factor. Meanwhile, Machado avoids direct confrontation, neither responding to Trump's criticisms nor challenging his preference for a chavista figure like Delcy Rodríguez.
Instead, she seems resolved to adapt to the new geopolitical reality, even if it means yielding prominence or facing public humiliation.
Future Prospects for Machado
Amid Venezuela's institutional collapse and leadership reshuffling, María Corina Machado's political momentum has temporarily stalled. Though her Nobel Peace Prize remains intact, her attempt to share it with Trump is viewed by many as a desperate bid to regain influence.
The gesture was symbolically potent but legally void. The Nobel Committee, as firmly reiterated, does not allow posthumous sharing of awards nor rewrites its history once established.
María Corina Machado and the Nobel Peace Prize Controversy
Why did María Corina Machado want to share the Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump?
Machado proposed sharing the Nobel Peace Prize with Trump as a gesture of gratitude for his role in the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, which she viewed as a significant step towards democratic transition.
What was the Nobel Committee's response to Machado's proposal?
The Nobel Committee firmly stated that a Nobel Prize cannot be revoked or transferred once awarded, emphasizing that the decision is permanent and the prize remains exclusively Machado's.
How did Trump's stance towards Machado change after the Nobel award?
Trump withdrew his support for Machado, believing her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize was an unforgivable act, as he has long coveted the award for himself.
What are the implications of Machado's actions on her political future?
Machado's attempt to share the Nobel with Trump is seen as a desperate move to regain political influence, but it has also led to a loss of momentum and support, impacting her leadership prospects in Venezuela.