Photo credit: Euro News
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said he presented her Nobel Peace Prize to S President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the US ousted President Nicolas Maduro.
CBC reports that the Nobel Institute has said Machado could not give her prize to Donald Trump, an honour that he has coveted.
“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters after leaving the White Houseand heading to Capitol Hill. She said she
has done so “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
Even if the gesture proves to be purely symbolic, it was extraordinary given that Trump has effectively sidelined Machado who has long been the face of resistance in Venezuela.
He has signalled his willingness to work with acting President DelcyRodriguez, who had been Maduro’s second in command.
Trump confirmed later on social ,edia that Machado had left the medal for him to keep and that it was an honour to meet her.
According to him, “She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you Maria!”
Trump has raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela, giving no timetable on when elections might be held. Machado indicated that he had provided few specifics on that front during their discussion.
Trump has previously dismissed Machado’s credibility to take over leadership of Venezuela, despite her seeking to cultivate relationships with the president and key administration voices.
While the visit was ongoing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been looking forward to meeting Machado, but that he stood by his “realistic” assessment that she did not currently have the support needed to lead the country in the short term.
