The Nobel Committee noted that "the facts are clearly established" and that once the prize is awarded, it cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared with others. "The decision is final and remains in effect forever," the committee's statement said.
Earlier, Maria Corina Machado, one of the leaders of the Venezuelan opposition who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, expressed her willingness to share the award with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The committee awarded the prize to Machado for her "tireless efforts to protect the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and to fight for a peaceful transition to democracy." She dedicated the award to the "suffering people of Venezuela" and to Trump, emphasizing his "decisive support" for her cause.
After U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, Machado stated that "the time for freedom for Venezuelans has come." She later added that she is increasingly convinced that Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, Donald Trump himself noted that the U.S. intends to manage Venezuela with the assistance of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who is a long-time ally of Maduro. He also mentioned that Machado lacks sufficient support within the country. According to sources from The Washington Post, Trump refused to support Machado because she did not agree to yield the Nobel Prize to him, which he greatly desired. Trump added that Machado "should not have won," but awarding her the prize "did not affect my decision."
