Despite her exclusion from Washington’s strategy regarding Venezuela, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced on Thursday that she had “presented” her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump. Norway expressed deep dissatisfaction over Machado giving her medal to President Trump, who has long expressed a desire to receive the award.
Trump received the medal from the Venezuelan opposition leader during a meeting at the White House on Thursday. He had previously voiced his discontent with the decisions of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Machado stated that she “gave Trump the medal in appreciation of his unique commitment to our freedom,” noting her exclusion from the power transition process since U.S. forces ousted Nicolas Maduro on January 3, while his regime remained in power.
Former Norwegian Finance Minister and current leader of the Center Party, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, stated that Trump’s acceptance of the medal reveals much about his character, describing him as a classic boaster who seeks to flaunt the achievements and awards of others.
Kirsty Bergstø, leader of the Socialist Left, described the move as “absurd and completely meaningless.” Similarly, Raymond Johansen, the former mayor of Oslo from the ruling Labor Party, stated in a post that the incident is deeply embarrassing and damaging to one of the world’s most prestigious awards. He added that the prize has become so politicized and dangerous that it could legitimize developments directed against the Peace Prize.
The Nobel Committee clarified in a statement last week that the prize “cannot be shared or transferred.” It described the incident as another “stain” on the reputation of the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the extent of its politicization.
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