Venezuelan opposition leader presents Trump with Nobel Peace Prize medal
During a meeting at the White House, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented US President Donald Trump with a Nobel Peace Prize medal. According to Machado, this gesture is a recognition of Trump's unique commitment to the freedom of her country.
After her first personal meeting with the American president, Machado said that it was a historic day for Venezuelans and that they could count on the support of the United States. Trump called the awarding of the medal a wonderful gesture of mutual respect on social media and noted that it was a great honour for him to meet with the opposition leader, whom he described as a strong person who has had a difficult journey.
At the same time, the Nobel Institute reminded that the Nobel Prize cannot be revoked or transferred to another person. The institute's statement notes that once the winner has been announced, the decision is final and valid forever, although the medal as a physical object may change hands. Similar cases have occurred in history.
During her visit to Washington, Machado also held meetings with US senators and tried to convince the US administration not to bet on the interim government in Venezuela. She stressed that the opposition's goal remains a democratic transition and elections in which Venezuelans themselves will determine the future of their country.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of active US involvement in Venezuela following the events of 3 January, when Nicolás Maduro was removed from power. The US administration has already made its first sale of Venezuelan oil worth $500 million and is continuing to review its sanctions policy. At the same time, Washington maintains working contacts with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, with whom Trump recently held a telephone conversation.
Source and photo: BBC
Trump, Machado, USA, Venezuela
