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Akbar Novruz

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented US President Donald Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize during a meeting at the White House on January 15, describing the gesture as recognition of his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people, Azernews reports.

Trump did not explicitly state whether he would accept the award, though the White House later confirmed that he plans to keep it.

Trump acknowledged the gesture in a social media post later that day, writing: “Maria presented me with the Nobel Peace Prize for the work I do. It is a beautiful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!”

According to White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt, Trump’s view of Machado has not changed, and he does not consider her a realistic alternative to leading Venezuela. Leavitt added that Trump approves of the work of Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, whom he considers cooperative.

Machado, speaking after the meeting, said that she and her supporters trust Trump and believe he understands the suffering of the Venezuelan people. She said Trump is committed to securing the release of political prisoners in the country.

Addressing US senators, Machado argued that political repression under Rodriguez’s rule is no different from the period under former president Nicolas Maduro, and in some cases has worsened. Venezuelan human rights groups have also said that far fewer political prisoners have been released than initially expected.

Trump spoke by phone with Rodriguez a day before meeting Machado, discussing oil, minerals, trade and security issues. Trump later described Rodriguez as a “great man.”

Separately, Rodriguez said on January 15 that he had proposed reforms to Venezuela’s hydrocarbon law, noting that US investors are seeking easier access to the country’s oil industry. He said oil revenues would be allocated to workers and public services.

The United States has said that around $500 million in oil sales under the agreement with Caracas has already been made and is being held in US bank accounts. An industry source familiar with the arrangement said the main account is located in Qatar.

On January 3, US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and transferred him to New York, where he faces drug-related charges. Maduro has denied the allegations.