A symbolic Nobel Prize transfer attempt has drawn official scrutiny. The Nobel Foundation firmly addressed the situation Sunday. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made the gesture. She presented her Peace Prize to President Donald Trump. Machado gifted the award during a White House meeting. She credited Trump with liberating Venezuela from dictatorship. The foundation quickly clarified its strict rules afterwards. A Nobel Prize transfer is not permitted under any circumstances. The statement aimed to protect the award’s integrity and dignity.
Moreover, Machado explained her symbolic action in a recent interview. She stated Trump truly deserved the prestigious honor. The emotional moment represented gratitude from Venezuelan people. She thanked him for pursuing dictator Nicolás Maduro’s removal. This action granted freedom to an entire nation she said. Machado has long criticized the Maduro regime’s oppression. She viewed Trump’s intervention as a historic humanitarian benefit. Therefore, she personally offered her medal to the president. Trump expressed his great honor on social media afterwards. He called the presentation a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.
However, the Nobel Foundation’s rules are explicitly clear. Alfred Nobel’s will specifically guides all award administration. Prizes must go to those benefiting humankind most. Designated committees alone select the worthy recipients each year. A Nobel Prize transfer contradicts the award’s fundamental statutes. The foundation stated prizes cannot be passed to others. This rule applies even for purely symbolic ceremonial purposes. The Norwegian Nobel Institute also preemptively commented earlier. It stated a prize cannot be revoked or shared ever. All decisions remain completely final for all time.
The incident highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions nonetheless. Machado’s gesture carried significant political and personal meaning. It reinforced her support for decisive international action. The event also underscored deep divisions over Venezuela policy. Reactions to the symbolic award presentation vary widely. Yet the foundation maintains its neutral administrative position. It must protect the Nobel awards’ legacy above all politics. Therefore, the attempted Nobel Prize transfer will not stand officially. The foundation’s statement serves as its final authoritative word.
