Venezuelan opposition leader says she presented Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during Washington

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado says she presented the physical medal from her Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in Washington, describing it as a symbolic gesture recognizing what she called his commitment to democratic change in Venezuela.

Machado told reporters after the closed door meeting that she handed the medal to Trump as a sign of appreciation for his support of Venezuelan freedom. The White House did not immediately confirm whether Trump formally accepted the medal, and no further details were released about the exchange.

The meeting focused on Venezuela’s political future following the recent U.S. military operation that led to the capture of then president Nicolás Maduro. While Machado remains one of the most prominent opposition figures, Trump has previously questioned her credibility as a potential leader and has signaled openness to working with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy.

Machado’s visit to Washington came amid security concerns, as her public whereabouts have been largely unknown since she left Venezuela last year after being briefly detained in Caracas. Following her meeting with Trump, she appeared outside the White House gates to greet supporters, stopping to embrace several people who had gathered nearby.

Addressing the crowd, Machado said, “We can count on President Trump,” prompting brief chants of support from those present. She did not elaborate on the substance of her discussions with the former president.