Nobel Institute Clarifies Rules After Machado Offers to Share Prize with Trump

2026-01-11

The BareStory

The Norwegian Nobel Institute issued a statement on Friday affirming that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared once announced. The clarification addressed recent comments by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a recent laureate, who expressed a desire to give or share her award with U.S. President Donald Trump. The institute emphasized that its decisions stand "for all time."

Machado previously stated she wished to share the honor with President Trump, describing his actions regarding Venezuela as "historic" and a step toward democratic transition. These remarks followed a U.S. operation that concluded on January 3 with the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who is now held in New York on drug trafficking charges. President Trump acknowledged Machado's comments on Friday, calling the sentiment a "great honor."

President Trump announced that Machado is expected to visit Washington next week for a meeting. Despite the mutual exchange regarding the prize, political differences remain concerning Venezuela's governance. Trump has expressed support for acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, stating that Machado does not currently have the support within Venezuela to govern.

In response to questions about leadership, Machado asserted that she and her coalition are ready to serve the Venezuelan people. She cited the 2024 election of Edmundo González, whom the U.S. and other governments previously recognized as the winner against Maduro, as the basis for her coalition's mandate.

Left Perspective

Desire to acknowledge the U.S. role in removing Nicolás Maduro
Insistence on a mandate to govern based on the 2024 election
Continued diplomatic engagement despite procedural barriers

Right Perspective

Appreciation of the honor while acknowledging Nobel rules
Preference for Delcy Rodríguez to lead the current transition
Skepticism regarding the opposition’s current internal support

Left Perspective

• Desire to acknowledge the U.S. role in removing Nicolás Maduro Machado described President Trump’s actions regarding Venezuela as "historic" and a necessary step toward a democratic transition. She sought to share her Nobel Peace Prize to honor the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro on drug trafficking charges.

• Insistence on a mandate to govern based on the 2024 election Machado asserted that she and her coalition are fully prepared to serve the Venezuelan people. She cited the election of Edmundo González, whom the U.S. and other governments previously recognized as the winner against Maduro, as the legitimate basis for their authority.

• Continued diplomatic engagement despite procedural barriers Although the Nobel Institute clarified that the prize cannot be transferred or shared, Machado is proceeding with a visit to Washington next week. This scheduled meeting indicates a commitment to maintaining dialogue with the U.S. leadership despite current disagreements over the specific path of governance.

Right Perspective

• Appreciation of the honor while acknowledging Nobel rules President Trump accepted Machado's sentiment about sharing the prize as a "great honor" following the successful conclusion of the operation against Maduro. The administration recognized the gesture even as the Nobel Institute emphasized that its decisions stand "for all time" and cannot be revoked or shared.

• Preference for Delcy Rodríguez to lead the current transition President Trump has expressed support for acting President Delcy Rodríguez, noting her previous role as vice president under Maduro. This position indicates a strategy of relying on certain existing figures within the Venezuelan executive structure during the post-Maduro period.

• Skepticism regarding the opposition’s current internal support Despite acknowledging the past recognition of the opposition's electoral claims, Trump stated that Machado does not currently have the support within Venezuela to govern. He highlighted that significant political differences remain regarding the practical reality of who can effectively lead the country.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader: Federal resources will support the high-profile detention and legal proceedings of Nicolás Maduro in New York, where he faces drug trafficking charges following a U.S. operation.

U.S. foreign policy strategy regarding Venezuela is shifting as the administration backs acting President Delcy Rodríguez for the transition rather than the previously recognized opposition leadership.

Diplomatic engagement will continue next week when opposition leader Machado visits Washington, highlighting ongoing negotiations about Venezuela's governance despite differences in preferred leadership.

Nobel Institute Clarifies Rules After Machado Offers to Share Prize with Trump

The BareStory

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How it may affect me

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