Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has said she has “no regrets” about symbolically giving her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump. She made the remarks during a press conference in Madrid, reinforcing her earlier decision from January.
Machado said the gesture reflected gratitude for what she described as Trump’s role in supporting Venezuela’s political struggle. She argued that a leader had taken significant risks for Venezuelan freedom. Her comments came amid continued political tension following the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power.
Read more: Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee previously clarified that the award cannot be transferred, revoked, or shared. However, officials confirmed that while the title remains personal to the laureate, the physical medal can be handed over symbolically. Trump publicly accepted the medal at the White House following their meeting.
¡Agradecimiento total al presidente @realDonaldTrump!
“Hay un líder en el mundo que ha puesto en riesgo la vida de ciudadanos de su país por la libertad de Venezuela, y ese es Donald Trump, y eso es algo que los venezolanos siempre agradeceremos y recordaremos”.
Declaraciones… pic.twitter.com/W3MQ6wyl3q
— Comando ConVzla (@ConVzlaComando) April 18, 2026
Machado is currently coordinating with US officials regarding her planned return to Venezuela. She said Washington remains central to any democratic transition process in the country. Her opposition movement continues to push for new presidential elections following Maduro’s ouster.
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Separately, she is continuing diplomatic engagements in Europe while meeting political leaders and addressing Venezuelan diaspora groups. Despite criticism from some political figures, she maintains that her actions are aimed at strengthening international support for Venezuela’s opposition.