The Norwegian Nobel Institute has firmly rejected any suggestions that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado could share her Nobel Peace Prize with former President Donald Trump. The organization clarified its position on January 5, 2024, following Machado’s remarks, which implied she might transfer the prestigious award to Trump during a recent television appearance.
In a statement, the Nobel Institute emphasized, “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.” This response came swiftly after Machado’s comments on Fox News’ “Hannity” program, where she expressed support for Trump and his actions regarding Venezuela.
During the interview, host Sean Hannity inquired if Machado had offered the Nobel Prize to Trump, to which she replied, “Well, it hasn’t happened yet.” She elaborated, stating, “I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.” Machado praised Trump’s efforts as “historic” and a significant step towards a democratic transition in Venezuela.
On January 3, 2024, Trump announced a successful operation that led to the capture of authoritarian Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who currently faces drug trafficking charges in New York. When asked if he would accept the Nobel Prize from Machado, Trump responded, “I’ve heard that she wants to do that. That would be a great honor.”
Machado recently escaped Venezuela and traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She dedicated the award to Trump, stating, “Let me be very clear. As soon as I learned that we had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed at that point that he deserved it.”
Despite this apparent support, Trump has previously expressed skepticism about Machado’s leadership capabilities, claiming she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” He has shown support for Delcy Rodríguez, a long-time Maduro loyalist and former vice president.
As the political landscape in Venezuela continues to evolve, Machado’s remarks and the subsequent response from the Nobel Institute highlight the complexities surrounding international recognition and the efforts for democratic change in the country. The dialogue between U.S. officials and Venezuelan opposition leaders remains crucial as they navigate these turbulent waters.
