Washington: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Thursday presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, a move seen as an effort to influence Washington’s approach towards Venezuela’s political future.
A White House official confirmed that Trump has decided to retain the medal.
In a post on social media later in the day, Trump said Machado had presented him with the medal in recognition of his work, describing the gesture as one of “mutual respect.”
Machado termed the meeting “excellent” and said the gesture was meant to acknowledge what she described as Trump’s commitment to the freedom and democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people.
The meeting comes at a time when Venezuela remains politically volatile, with opposition leaders seeking stronger international backing to push for democratic reforms and political change in the South American nation.
