María Corina Machado, a fierce Venezuelan opposition leader, made headlines last week with her perilous travel. She had flown from Venezuela to Oslo to receive her Nobel Peace Prize. The award, given last month, acknowledges her long-time struggle for democracy in the face of Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime. Things reached a boiling point when Machado presented her Nobel prize to former President Donald Trump in the White House. Yet this courageous intervention set off a firestorm of protest by Norwegian political leaders.
Machado’s clandestine trip to Norway aimed to highlight her struggle and that of her fellow Venezuelans under Maduro’s oppressive government. The Nobel committee has recognized her tireless quest for democratic ideals, the focus of her work that has captivated global eyes.
Upon receiving the medal from Machado, Trump expressed gratitude in a post on Truth Social, stating, “presented me with her Nobel peace prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” He underscored the meaning of the award with respect to his resolve to fight for liberty.
Machado justified her decision, calling it an “act in recognition of his unique commitment to our freedom.” Despite this, her actions have drawn a fierce reaction from Norwegian politicians who see the exchange as an ill-fitting concession.
Kirsti Bergstø, the leader of Norway’s Socialist Left party, expressed her disbelief, stating, “This is, above all, absurd. The peace prize cannot be given away.” She went on to criticize Trump’s acceptance of the medal from further tarnishing the integrity of the Nobel Prize itself.
Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of the Centre party, was saying the same thing. He remarked, “Whoever has received the prize has received the prize. The fact that Trump accepted the medal says something about him as a type of person: a classic showoff who wants to adorn himself with other people’s honours and work.”
Raymond Johansen, former mayor of Oslo and now secretary general of Norwegian People’s Aid, described the incident as “unbelievably embarrassing and damaging to one of the world’s most recognised and important prizes.” He worried that this may have set a dangerous precedent by politicizing the Nobel Prize.
The Nobel Peace Center reiterated that it did not condone Machado’s actions. They stated, “a medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel peace prize laureate cannot,” emphasizing that the integrity of the award remains intact regardless of its physical transfer.
Norwegian foreign ministry officials declined to comment on the matter. Time and again they stressed that the Nobel Prize was its own, completely government-free operation. The Nobel committee has so far declined to comment or clarify what they believe Machado did wrong.