US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has “dedicated” her Nobel Peace Prize to him. After this claim, Trump expressed happiness and called it an honor for himself. Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Machado is “a brave and wonderful woman” and their move is a sign of mutual respect. After meeting at the White House, Trump said Machado was impressed by his actions and gave him the honor. An official quoted by Reuters said that Trump wants to keep this honor to himself.
However, the Nobel Institute has clarified its position on this matter and said that the Nobel Prize cannot be given or transferred to anyone else. According to the institute, this award is personal and valid only in the name of the person to whom it is awarded. In this case, Machado’s claim to “give” the Nobel can only be considered symbolic.
The Nobel Institute also said that Machado has long been the face of the struggle against the government of President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, but in this development, the entire focus has shifted to Trump, leaving his struggle behind, which is unusual. In this way, the news of Trump receiving the Nobel has sparked a debate in political and diplomatic circles where on the one hand it is being described as a symbolic honor, while on the other hand it has been declared impossible under the rules.