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US President Donald Trump began a heated spat with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday, which could affect how the Republican administration seeks to shape the South American country’s political future.
After the meeting, Machado told reporters that she had presented Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize — which he offered to share after Trump’s victory last year — though it was not immediately clear whether he would accept the long-coveted medal.
Machado did this because of his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.
“Two hundred years ago, General Lafayette gave Simón Bolívar a medal with the face of George Washington… for the fraternity between the United States, the people of the United States and Venezuela in their struggle for freedom against tyranny,” Machado told reporters. 19th century.
“The people of Bolivar are recognizing Washington’s heir, a medal, in this case the Nobel Peace Prize, and his exceptional commitment to our freedom.”
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, with the committee citing Machado’s bravery in opposing the dictatorship of President Nicolas Maduro. He gave the award to the victims of Venezuela and also to US President Donald Trump’s ‘resolute support’ for their cause.
Although Machado gave Trump her medal, the honor is hers; The Norwegian Nobel Institute says the prize cannot be transferred, shared or revoked.
The White House said before the meeting that if she tried to share the award with Trump, it would be entirely up to him whether he accepted it.
But, while symbolic, Machado’s move was unusual in that he rejected Trump’s commitment to take over Venezuela’s leadership after the US military invasion that captured current President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump has indicated that he is willing to work with the acting president instead. Delcy RodriguezMaduro’s former vice president.
When Nicolas Maduro steps down, Delsy Rodriguez becomes Venezuela’s interim president. CBC’s Lindsay Duncombe breaks down Rodriguez’s development and her complicated relationship with the US government.
By endorsing Rodriguez, Trump sidelined Machado, who has long been the face of opposition in Venezuela.
Although Machado has sought to build relationships with the president and key administration voices such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it is a gamble to align herself with the US government and some of its top conservatives.
As the visit continued, White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said Trump had been looking forward to meeting Machado, but stood by his “realistic” assessment that she currently lacks the support to lead the country in the short term.