Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump, thanking him for supporting Venezuela’s democracy. Though Trump missed the award, the gesture highlighted his continued influence in global anti-authoritarian politics.
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump may not have received the Nobel Peace Prize this year, but the award still came his way symbolically—dedicated to him by the very person who won it. Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, publicly dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump on Friday, acknowledging his “decisive support” for Venezuela’s struggle for democracy.
Machado, a conservative politician leading the Vente Venezuela Party, has been a central figure in her nation’s opposition movement against President Nicolas Maduro, whose rule has been widely accused of being authoritarian and anti-democratic. In her post on X (formerly Twitter), Machado wrote, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.”
Trump, who has long sought recognition for his role in global diplomacy, had himself been a vocal aspirant for the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed credit for helping resolve international conflicts, including a contested claim regarding the India-Pakistan border tension. He also received several nominations from different countries for his diplomatic efforts. However, the nominations for this year’s Nobel closed on January 31, long before Trump’s recent diplomatic moves—particularly his mediation role in the Gaza ceasefire agreement—which many consider his most consequential achievement to date.
The Nobel Committee, comprising five members from Norway’s Parliament, had already selected the winner before these events unfolded. Nevertheless, the White House reacted sharply. Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the decision, stating on X, “The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.”
Trump, however, appeared to take the news graciously. He reposted Machado’s message on Truth Social, highlighting her words: “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 main allies to achieve freedom and democracy.”
For the Nobel Committee, the selection of Machado may have been both strategic and symbolic—choosing a figure who represents the global fight for democracy while avoiding direct confrontation with powerful international actors. In its announcement, the committee said, “She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights. At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground.”
Observers note that the decision allows both Trump supporters and critics to interpret it as a subtle nod in their favor. While Trump’s allies see it as vindication of his pro-democracy foreign policy, his critics view the dedication as a sign of ideological alignment between two conservative leaders.
The Nobel Committee revealed that it had received 338 nominations this year, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations. By awarding the prize to Machado, the committee steered clear of international institutions that might have been perceived as politically divisive in the context of Trump’s influence.
Machado’s leadership has been pivotal in mobilizing the Venezuelan opposition. Barred from contesting last year’s presidential election, she backed opposition candidate Edmundo González, who later claimed victory—a claim supported by several international observers and the U.S., under both the Trump and Biden administrations.
During Trump’s presidency, Washington intensified its campaign against Maduro’s regime, including military and economic measures. The Trump administration deployed Navy ships toward Venezuela and conducted air operations targeting boats allegedly carrying narcotics to the United States.
Machado publicly supported these actions, calling Maduro the leader of a “narco-terrorist structure of cooperation.” She said Trump’s military and diplomatic efforts would save “not only Venezuelan lives, but also the lives of the American people.”
Maduro, who identifies as a socialist, has presided over Venezuela’s steep economic decline, with widespread poverty and corruption crippling the once-prosperous nation. The Nobel Committee underscored this in its citation: “Venezuela has evolved from a relatively democratic and prosperous country to a brutal, authoritarian state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. Most Venezuelans live in deep poverty, even as the few at the top enrich themselves.”
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While Trump may have missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize itself, the dedication by Machado—a leader he vocally supported—offers him a symbolic victory. It reinforces his continuing influence in international politics and in the global struggle for democracy against authoritarianism.
