Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting on Thursday, 15 January.
Speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol afterwards, Machado described the gesture as symbolic. She referenced history, noting that 200 years ago General Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal bearing George Washington’s face, which Bolivar kept for the rest of his life. “It was given as a sign of the brotherhood between the United States, the people of the United States, and the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom against tyranny,” she said.
Machado added that, in this spirit, the people of Bolívar are giving back a medal this time her Nobel Peace Prize as recognition of Trump’s commitment to Venezuelan freedom. She did not answer questions on whether Trump accepted the medal.
She described her first in-person meeting with Trump as 'very well'. She gave no further details about the discussion but was warmly greeted by dozens of supporters outside. The lunch meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between Machado and Trump.
The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been looking forward to the meeting and expected a positive discussion with Machado, whom she called “a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela.” Leavitt added that the president still believes Machado does not currently have the support or respect needed to govern Venezuela.
Machado, who fled Venezuela in December in a daring seaborne escape, was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election by a government-aligned court. While Maduro claimed victory, outside observers say opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, backed by Machado, actually won more votes. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado last month. The Norwegian Nobel Institute says the prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked.
Trump has praised interim Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez, saying she has “been very good to deal with,” while U.S. policy remains focused on rebuilding Venezuela’s economy and securing access to its oil following Maduro’s capture earlier this month.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting o...
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The White House said Thursday that Iranian authorities have stopped 800 executions that were scheduled amid ongoing protests, as the U.S. continues to monitor events in Tehran closely.
The White House says a meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Danish officials over Greenland was "productive."
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
Save the Children has pledged to expand maternal and child health services across Afghanistan after its new country director met the country’s public health minister in Kabul on Wednesday.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Boeing booked more aircraft orders than Airbus in 2025 for the first time since 2018, official figures showed, even as the European manufacturer delivered more planes during the year.
The White House said Thursday that Iranian authorities have stopped 800 executions that were scheduled amid ongoing protests, as the U.S. continues to monitor events in Tehran closely.
The White House says a meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Danish officials over Greenland was "productive."
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
The United States has seized a sixth Venezuela-linked tanker in the Caribbean, hours before President Donald Trump’s meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, U.S. officials told Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
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