Post by : Meena Ariff

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he intends to keep a Nobel Peace Prize medal given to him by Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado. Trump shared the news on social media, saying Machado presented the medal as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” for his efforts.

Machado described their meeting as “excellent” and said the gift recognized Trump’s commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that while Trump can keep the medal, the prize itself remains Machado’s and cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked.

The meeting marked the first time Trump and Machado met in person. It lasted just over an hour, followed by Machado meeting with more than a dozen US senators, where she found a mix of support and cautious optimism.

The visit came after Trump dismissed the idea of installing Machado as Venezuela’s leader to replace the ousted Nicolás Maduro. Despite campaigning for the prize prior to Machado winning it, Trump had expressed disappointment when he was not selected.

During the meeting, White House press officials noted Trump looked forward to meeting Machado but maintained that she did not currently have the political backing to lead Venezuela in the short term.

Machado, who fled Venezuela in December via a daring seaborne escape, is actively engaging US lawmakers and officials to secure a role in Venezuela’s future governance. Her efforts come amid growing US and international hopes that the capture of Maduro this month could pave the way for democratic reforms.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who met with Machado, said she highlighted ongoing repression in Venezuela, noting that interim President Delcy Rodríguez continues to consolidate power. Murphy expressed cautious optimism about future elections but acknowledged the challenges ahead.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of securing US access to Venezuela’s oil and supporting economic reconstruction. He has also praised Rodríguez for being “very good to deal with,” despite Maduro’s capture.

Machado was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election by a court aligned with Maduro. While opposition figures claim a candidate supported by Machado won the election by a significant margin, Maduro retained power.

Recently, the Venezuelan government has released some political prisoners, though observers suggest the scale of the releases may be exaggerated. Rodríguez, in an address to lawmakers, called for diplomatic engagement with the US and proposed reforms to the oil sector to attract foreign investment, emphasizing her country’s sovereignty.

#Global News #Donald Trump