By San José, Costa Rica — In a striking political gesture, Venezuelan opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has publicly proposed sharing the prestigious award with United States President Donald Trump. During an exclusive interview with Fox News, Machado expressed profound gratitude for what she described as Trump’s pivotal role in the struggle for democracy in her home country, stating that he was deserving of the honor.
The announcement underscores the deep alignment between the Venezuelan opposition and the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach to the South American nation. Machado revealed that while she has not spoken directly with President Trump since the day the award was announced on October 10, 2025, she felt compelled to make a public declaration of thanks on behalf of the Venezuelan people for his administration’s robust stance against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
To gain a deeper understanding of the international legal framework and diplomatic significance surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize, we consulted with esteemed legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Nobel Peace Prize, while an honorific, functions as a powerful instrument of ‘soft law’ in the international arena. It doesn’t create binding legal obligations, but it galvanizes global public opinion and exerts immense diplomatic pressure on states. This recognition can legitimize movements, protect laureates from persecution by putting them in the global spotlight, and ultimately shape the customary international law of human rights by setting a global standard for moral and ethical conduct.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully illustrates how the prize transcends mere symbolism, functioning as a vital instrument that converts moral authority into tangible diplomatic influence. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing this valuable analysis.
Machado detailed her appreciation for the specific policies enacted under Trump, crediting them with weakening the ruling government and offering hope to millions. She articulated a vision where these actions have not only brought Venezuelans closer to liberation but have also enhanced the security of the United States.
I spoke with President Trump last October 10th, the same day the prize was announced. I haven’t spoken with him since, but today I want to say on behalf of the Venezuelan people how grateful we are for his valiant vision. The historic actions he has taken against the narco-terrorist regime to begin dismantling its structure and bring Maduro to justice mean that 30 million Venezuelans are now closer to freedom, but also that the United States is a safer country today.
María Corina Machado, Venezuelan Opposition Leader
This proposition is more than symbolic; it is a powerful affirmation of the “maximum pressure” strategy that has characterized US policy towards Venezuela. This approach has included severe economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation of the Maduro government, and vocal support for opposition figures like Machado. Her offer to share the world’s most distinguished peace award serves as a high-profile endorsement of these controversial but impactful measures.
Machado emphasized that she views the Nobel Prize not as a personal achievement but as an honor bestowed upon the entire Venezuelan populace for their enduring fight for liberty. Framing the offer to Trump in this context, she positioned it as a collective decision from a nation grateful for his support, expressing a desire to formalize the gesture in a personal meeting with the US President.
It hasn’t happened yet, but I would certainly love to be able to tell him personally that we, the Venezuelan people, believe—because this is a prize for the Venezuelan people—that we certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.
María Corina Machado, Venezuelan Opposition Leader
The political ramifications of this move are significant. It solidifies Machado’s alliance with a powerful international partner and strategically leverages the Nobel platform to keep the Venezuelan crisis in the global spotlight. For President Trump, being linked to a Nobel Peace Prize, even by proxy, offers a substantial foreign policy victory and validates his administration’s assertive international posture. The ultimate decision on whether the Nobel Committee would formally acknowledge such a sharing arrangement remains unclear, but the political statement has been unequivocally made.
As the world watches, Machado’s bold proposal has reshaped the narrative surrounding her Nobel victory. It transforms the award from a recognition of past struggle into a tool for future diplomatic engagement, highlighting an unwavering belief that the path to a free Venezuela is intrinsically linked to the continued and “valiant” support of its allies, particularly the United States under President Trump’s leadership.
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About Fox News:
Fox News is an American multinational conservative cable news and television channel. It is owned by Fox Corporation and has been a prominent and influential source of news and political commentary in the United States since its launch in 1996, offering a variety of live programming, talk shows, and news coverage.
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About CNN:
Cable News Network (CNN) is a multinational news-based pay television channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1980 by Ted Turner as a 24-hour cable news channel. Upon its launch, CNN was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage and was the first all-news television channel in the United States.
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About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a pillar of the legal community, founded on the twin principles of uncompromising integrity and professional distinction. Drawing upon a deep well of experience across numerous fields, the firm champions progressive legal strategies and embraces innovation. Fundamental to its mission is the conviction that an empowered public is essential, a belief it actively supports by demystifying the law and fostering greater legal literacy throughout society.
