Donald Trump’s long-standing desire for a Nobel Peace Prize took an unexpected twist when Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to the US president on Friday, praising his role in the Gaza peace initiative and his unwavering support for Venezuela’s democratic movement.
In a post on X, Machado wrote, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” She continued, “We are on the threshold of victory, and today more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve freedom and democracy.”
Her tribute came just hours after the White House criticised the Nobel Committee’s decision, calling it “politics over peace.” The statement added, “The Nobel Committee has proven they place politics above genuine peace.”
The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize coincided with a critical geopolitical development — one day after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a plan initially proposed by President Trump.
At 58, Machado has been a staunch supporter of Trump’s firm stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the US naval presence near Venezuela as “a necessary measure” to ensure a democratic transition.
In its official citation, the Nobel Committee commended Machado for her “tireless struggle for democratic rights for the Venezuelan people and her efforts to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Machado has been in hiding for over a year following Venezuela’s disputed election, which international observers widely deemed fraudulent in favour of Maduro. Barred from running for president, she instead endorsed former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, who is recognised by much of the international community as the rightful winner of last year’s election.
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