Machado cannot give Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, organization says

Organization that oversees Nobel Peace Prize awards throws cold water on speeches by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presenting his recent award to President Trump.

Once the The Nobel Peace Prize is announcedit cannot be revoked, transferred or shared with others, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said in a brief statement on Friday.

“The decision is final and valid forever,” he said.

A representative for Machado did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The statement comes after Machado indicated she would like to donate or share the award with Mr. Trump, who supervised the successful US operation to capture the authoritarian Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. He faces drug trafficking charges in New York.

“I certainly wish I could tell him personally that we believe – the Venezuelan people, because it’s a prize of the Venezuelan people – that we certainly want to give it to him and share it with him,” Machado told the Fox News host. Sean Hannity earlier this week. “What he did is historic. It’s a big step towards a democratic transition.”

Machado dedicated the award to Mr. Trump, as well as the Venezuelan people, shortly afterward. was announced. Mr. Trump has coveted and openly campaigned to win the Nobel Prize himself since returning to office.

Asked about Machado’s comments in his own interview with Hannity Friday, Mr. Trump responded: “I heard she wanted to do that, it would be a great honor.” »

The president told Hannity that Machado is expected to travel to Washington next week and meet with him.

“I can’t wait to say hello to him. It would be a great honor,” the president said.

When it comes to govern Venezuela However, after Maduro’s capture, Mr. Trump has so far supported someone else: interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro.

He called Machado “a very kind woman” but said she currently does not have the support needed in Venezuela to govern.

In an interview On Tuesday, with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, Machado responded “absolutely yes” when asked if she should be Venezuela’s next leader, noting that her coalition has an elected president in Edmundo González, whom the United States and other governments have recognized as the winner of the 2024 election against Maduro.

“We are ready and willing to serve our people, as we have been mandated to do,” she told Dokoupil.