In what appeared to be an effort to regain Donald Trump’s goodwill, Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado said she had “presented” her gold Nobel Peace Prize medal to the US president during a private meeting at the White House on Thursday. Trump later posted on his Truth Social account: “María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met Donald Trump on Thursday for what the White House described as “positive” talks, despite the US president having sidelined her politically and openly expressing interest in her Nobel Peace Prize, reports The Guardian. After the meeting, Machado, who campaigned for years to end leftist Maduro's rule, met jubilant supporters outside the White House. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been "looking forward" to his lunch with Machado, their first meeting since the dramatic US military operation that captured Maduro on January 3.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 16, 2026 04:36 UTC