Machado presents Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump at White House

WISE NEWS PRESS / WASHINGTON, US

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented a Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting, describing the gesture as a "tribute to his unique commitment to freedom."

President Trump expressed his gratitude on social media, calling Machado’s gesture a "wonderful sign of mutual respect." The meeting marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since the U.S. military operation on January 3 that removed Nicolas Maduro from power, a move seen as a historic turning point for Venezuela’s political landscape.

A symbol of brotherhood in the struggle for liberty

Following the meeting, Machado emphasized the historical symbolism behind the presentation of the medal. Drawing parallels between the founder of modern Venezuela, Simon Bolivar, and the United States, Machado stated, "Two hundred years later, the people of Bolivar are awarding a medal to the heir of George Washington in recognition of your unmatched dedication to our freedom."

Despite a statement from the Nobel Committee clarifying that the prize is non-transferable, Machado defended her action as a badge of a shared struggle against tyranny. President Trump has frequently expressed his interest in the prestigious award during his presidency.

Leadership uncertainty persists in Venezuela

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the meeting as "warm and productive," noting that Trump wanted to hear the realities of the situation in Venezuela directly from Machado. However, while the administration refers to Machado as a "freedom fighter," Washington has yet to officially recognize her as the acting head of state, citing concerns over her level of internal support.

Currently, Venezuela is led by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in an acting capacity. Trump recently referred to Rodriguez as a "terrific person" following a productive phone call, signaling that Washington is maintaining open channels with various political actors during the transition.

Oil sector restructuring and diplomatic normalization

The U.S. administration is moving rapidly to restructure Venezuela’s oil sector in the post-Maduro era. A $500 million oil sale completed on January 14 serves as the first concrete step in this economic transformation.

Concurrently, diplomatic efforts to reopen embassies in Washington and Caracas are expected to accelerate. Delcy Rodriguez has expressed her willingness to visit Washington, stating that "diplomacy with the United States should not be feared."

www.yerelgundem.com

Source: BBC