The Nobel Institute in Oslo has issued a definitive rejection to a controversial proposal from Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado. The Institute confirmed that Machado cannot transfer or re-gift her prestigious award to former United States President Donald Trump.
An Unprecedented Request Meets Firm Rejection
The situation unfolded after María Corina Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2025, publicly expressed her intention to pass the honour to Trump. Her rationale, as reported, centred on her belief in Trump's foreign policy approach. However, the Nobel Foundation, which oversees the awards, maintains strict rules regarding the prize's integrity and ownership.
A spokesperson for the Institute clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize is a personal award bestowed upon a specific individual or organization for their documented achievements. It is not an object that can be transferred, donated, or reassigned to another party after the fact. The rules are designed to preserve the award's significance and prevent it from being used as a political token.
The Background: A Prize Amidst Political Tumult
María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize on December 12, 2025, in a ceremony at Oslo's Grand Hotel. The award recognized her long-standing, non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. Her win was seen as a significant moment of international recognition for Venezuela's opposition movement.
Her subsequent attempt to redirect the prize to Donald Trump sent shockwaves through diplomatic and political circles. Analysts suggest the move was a symbolic gesture, likely intended to show gratitude for Trump's hardline stance against the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro during his presidency. This stance included recognizing Machado's rival, Juan Guaidó, as the country's legitimate leader.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The Nobel Institute's swift and firm rejection underscores the institution's commitment to guarding the prize's legacy from political manoeuvring. By shutting down this unprecedented request, the Institute has reinforced that the Nobel Peace Prize is an honour earned, not a commodity to be traded.
This incident highlights the complex and often contentious intersection of international awards and global politics. It also casts a renewed spotlight on the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela and the ways in which external figures, like Trump, continue to influence the narrative. The rejection effectively ends the speculative episode, leaving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize firmly in the hands of its original laureate, María Corina Machado.
