María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presented her Nobel medal to President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on Thursday, a gesture that quickly triggered diplomatic debate and criticism from Norwegian political figures.
Trump called the meeting a “great honor” and praised Machado as a “wonderful woman who has been through so much,” while Machado told supporters afterward, “We can count on President Trump.”
She later told journalists that she had presented the medal as “a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom,” framing the act as symbolic rather than procedural.
The Nobel Peace Center and the Norwegian Nobel Committee reiterated that while a physical medal may change hands, the Nobel Peace Prize itself cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred.
The committee said its decision “is final and stands for all time,” a position it repeated after Machado’s remarks.
Machado’s visit came amid intensified U.S. engagement in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro earlier this month and the installation of Delcy Rodríguez as acting head of state.
The Trump administration has since moved swiftly on Venezuelan oil policy, completing a first U.S. sale valued at $500m and seizing several tankers suspected of carrying sanctioned oil.
Machado has argued that U.S. backing of Rodríguez’s interim government is a mistake and that her opposition coalition should guide Venezuela’s transition.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice” and said Trump expected a frank discussion on conditions in Venezuela.
Rodríguez has simultaneously signaled openness to diplomacy, saying she would attend meetings in Washington “standing tall” and urging Venezuelans not to fear engagement with the United States.
In Norway, political leaders criticized the medal presentation as improper and damaging to the prize’s reputation.
Kirsti Bergstø, leader of the Socialist Left party, called the act “absurd” and said the prize could not be given away.
Trygve Slagsvold Vedum of the Centre party said Trump’s acceptance reflected a desire to claim others’ achievements.
Raymond Johansen of Norwegian People’s Aid warned the episode risked politicising the Nobel Peace Prize and undermining its credibility.
The Norwegian foreign ministry declined to comment, citing the prize’s independence.