The statement comes in the wake of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s visit to the White House on 15 January 2026, during which she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump as a symbolic “gesture of gratitude” for his support in Venezuela’s political transition. While Trump accepted the framed medal and publicly thanked Machado, officials from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body that selects Peace Prize laureates, emphasised that the title and recognition of the award remain with Machado and cannot be legally reassigned.

Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her long-standing advocacy for democracy and human rights in Venezuela’s struggle against authoritarian rule, described the presentation of the medal as a sign of respect and shared commitment to freedom. Trump praised the gesture on social media and displayed the framed medal in the White House. However, the Nobel institutions clarified that while a physical medal may change hands, the official status and merit of the Nobel Prize do not transfer with it.

The incident has sparked debate within Norway and internationally, with critics arguing that such public displays risk politicising one of the world ’s most respected honours. Some Norwegian politicians labelled the act “absurd” and warned it could undermine the prestige of the prize, insisting the award’s meaning derives from a strict process and enduring principles established by Alfred Nobel.

By reaffirming that Nobel Prizes cannot be revoked or shared after they are awarded, the Nobel Foundation aims to uphold both the legal framework of Nobel honours and their symbolic value in global peace and scientific advancement. The recent controversy highlights the tension between political symbolism and the institutional safeguards designed to protect the Nobel legacy.

“This is completely unheard of,” said Professor Janne Haaland Matlary of the University of Oslo. She told public broadcaster NRK that giving away the medal showed “a total lack of respect for the award,” describing the act as “meaningless” and “pathetic.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee quickly distanced itself from the move, stressing that Nobel Peace Prizes cannot be transferred, shared or gifted. In a brief statement, the committee said the award belongs solely to the recipient and that no individual has the authority to pass it on.

Machado, a Venezuela n opposition leader and Nobel laureate, said she gave Trump the medal to recognise what she called his “unique commitment” to Venezuela’s political transition. However, she has played no formal role in the country’s leadership since US forces removed President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month while leaving his governing structure largely intact.

Former Oslo mayor Raymond Johansen warned that the episode risked politicising the Nobel Peace Prize and damaging its global credibility. “This is unbelievably embarrassing and harmful to one of the world’s most important prizes,” he wrote on social media .

Trump has long expressed frustration with the Nobel Committee, arguing that his role in ending or managing conflicts during his second term has gone unrecognised. While he accepted the medal, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made clear that the action carries no official meaning and does not constitute recognition by the Nobel institution.

Machado, born in Caracas in 1967, rose to prominence in the early 2000s after co-founding Súmate, an organisation dedicated to monitoring elections and promoting civic participation. She later entered the National Assembly, becoming one of the government’s most vocal critics until she was removed from her seat in 2014 after speaking before the Organisation of American States. Her political influence resurfaced strongly in 2023, when she emerged as the leading voice of a fragmented opposition.

Her Nobel recognition comes after years of disqualification, pressure and threats from the Venezuelan government. Despite being barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, Machado helped rally opposition movements behind a single candidate and continued advocating for peaceful political change. The Nobel Committee emphasised this commitment to civil resistance and democratic engagement as central to her selection.

Internationally, the award has drawn renewed attention to Venezuela’s political trajectory. Several governments and human rights organisations have interpreted the prize as a signal of support for democratic actors within the country, though it does not directly alter the political balance of power. For many observers, the recognition serves as a reminder that Venezuela’s crisis remains unresolved and continues to have implications for regional stability, migration flows and human rights.

Inside Venezuela, reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters see the prize as validation of Machado’s leadership at a time when political organising faces significant restrictions. Government officials, meanwhile, dismissed the award as foreign interference, repeating long-standing accusations that Machado represents external interests.

Although the Nobel Peace Prize does not offer political guarantees, it provides Machado with a higher international profile and a platform that may shape Venezuela’s opposition movement in the coming years. How this visibility translates into political influence will depend on internal dynamics, ongoing negotiations and the government's response in the months ahead.

Venezuela’s human rights crisis continues to deepen as NGO Foro Penal confirmed that the number of political prisoners has risen to 875, marking one of the highest tallies in recent years. The organisation reported a surge in detentions targeting opposition figures, student activists, journalists, and civil society members. Analysts say this reflects a renewed campaign to suppress dissent and intimidate political movements ahead of upcoming electoral milestones. Human rights advocates warn that the trend showcases the government’s intent to maintain tight control over political life.

HRW calls for international pressure

Human Rights Watch issued a strong condemnation of conditions inside Venezuelan detention facilities, accusing authorities of intensifying the isolation and mistreatment of political detainees. According to HRW, prisoners are being held incommunicado, denied medical care, and subjected to psychological intimidation and overcrowded cells. The rights organisation urged foreign governments, particularly in the Americas and Europe, to increase diplomatic pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration and pursue accountability measures through international legal channels.

US Military activity heightens

Geopolitical tensions continue to escalate as the United States boosts its military presence in the Caribbean as part of an effort to disrupt what Washington describes as Venezuelan-linked narcotrafficking networks. The move forms part of a broader strategy to pressure the Maduro government and counter regional security threats. Venezuela's leadership has denounced the deployment as provocative and politically motivated, while observers warn that rising military posturing raises the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile regional environment.

Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize

Opposition leader María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize recognition sparked cautious celebration worldwide, yet public reaction inside Venezuela remained subdued. Citizens and activists largely refrained from public gatherings or displays of support, citing fears of retaliation by security forces and pro-government groups. The restrained mood underscores the climate of surveillance and repression that persists despite international attention and recognition of Venezuela’s democratic opposition.

Regional activists criticise Nobel award to Machado

Machado’s Nobel Prize also sparked sharp criticism from regional left-leaning organisations and social movements, particularly in Latin America. Critics argue that her political stance and alliances align with conservative agendas and do not represent transformative peace-building values. While international institutions hailed her role in advocating for democratic freedoms, detractors insist the award overlooks Venezuela’s complex political landscape and risks reinforcing ideological polarisation in the region.