Venezuela’s opposition leader hands Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and US President Donald Trump, Washington, January 15, 2026. Photo: Reuters

On January 15, 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, during a meeting at the White House, handed U.S. President Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal, awarded to her in 2025, CNN reported.

Machado called the talks with Trump “historic” and “incredible,” stressing the symbolic nature of the gesture. She said the transfer of the medal was a sign of gratitude for support of the Venezuelan opposition’s struggle.

The U.S. president later commented on the meeting on Truth Social, describing Machado as “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.” He said he viewed the presentation of the medal as “a gesture of mutual respect.”

Earlier, after a U.S. operation against Venezuela’s authorities and the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, Machado said the opposition was ready to take power into its own hands. However, speaking to journalists, Trump expressed doubts about her prospects, pointing to her lack of broad support inside the country.

María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025. At the time, she said the award was recognition of the Venezuelan people’s struggle for freedom and dedicated it to all citizens of the country, as well as to the U.S. president for his decisive support.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the World Council of Churches criticized the United States over Maduro’s abduction.

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