By Trendsetter Tribune 
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in a high‑profile effort to influence U.S. policy on Venezuela’s future and regain political traction after recent developments in her country.
Machado — a Nobel Peace Prize laureate — said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during the meeting as a symbolic gesture of gratitude for what she described as his role in supporting Venezuelan freedom. She made the comment publicly after discussions with the president and lawmakers, although the Norwegian Nobel Institute later clarified that the Peace Prize cannot be transferred or shared.
A Gesture of Recognition and Political Significance
Machado told reporters at the Capitol that she gave Trump the prize medal “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom,” but it was unclear whether Trump accepted the medal itself during the proceedings.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado in 2025 for her long‑standing efforts to promote democratic rights in Venezuela and pursue a peaceful transition away from authoritarian rule. The Nobel Institute has reiterated that the award cannot be legally transferred, even symbolically, to another individual.
Machado’s offer to link her Nobel honor with Trump’s leadership was widely reported ahead of the meeting, and sources note it was part of her appeal to U.S. policymakers.
Context of the Meeting
The meeting marked the first in‑person discussion between Trump and Machado since U.S. forces captured former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier in January amid expanding U.S. involvement in the country’s affairs. Machado has been largely out of sight since late 2025 after going into hiding, resurfacing only to accept the Nobel award and pursue international support.
Ahead of the White House visit, the White House announced a lunchtime meeting with Machado, underlining the administration’s open engagement on Venezuela.
Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado met with President Trump in an effort to regain influence in the discussion around the future of her country.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 15, 2026
Ahead of the meeting, Machado said she planned to hand Trump her Nobel Peace Prize. https://t.co/HI5fNRiOw8 pic.twitter.com/Sm3l4ZzuEf
Mixed Signals From Washington
Despite Machado’s outreach and symbolic gesture, Trump has publicly expressed skepticism about her ability to lead Venezuela, saying she lacks sufficient support and respect within the country. Instead, the administration has shown willingness to work with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power following Maduro’s removal.
Machado also met with bipartisan members of Congress and addressed supporters outside the White House, expressing optimism about democratic prospects for her nation.
What Comes Next
While Thursday’s meeting did not produce any formal U.S. policy shift or endorsement of Machado as Venezuela’s next leader, it highlighted the ongoing diplomatic engagement between U.S. officials and Venezuelan opposition figures. Questions remain about the future of democratic transition efforts in Venezuela and how U.S. support may evolve amid competing internal and international interests.