The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize is throwing cold water on talk of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado giving her recent award to President Donald Trump.
Once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it can’t be revoked, transferred or shared with others, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said in a short statement on Jan. 9.
“The decision is final and stands for all time,” it said.
The statement came amid reports that Machado on Jan. 15 gave the prize to Trump, who oversaw the successful U.S. operation to capture authoritarian Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. He is facing drug trafficking charges in New York.
“I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him,” Machado told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Jan. 5. “What he has done is historic. It’s a huge step towards a democratic transition.”
On Jan. 15, after Machado met with the 47th president at the White House, she told reporters outside the U.S. Capitol that she presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during the visit “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
Machado dedicated the prize to Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced. Trump has coveted and has openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office.
The 47th president said he is keeping Machado’s award, calling the offering “a very nice gesture.”
When it comes to governing Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, though, Trump has so far backed someone else: acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro.
He has called Machado a “very nice woman” but said she doesn’t currently have the support within Venezuela to govern. A representative for Machado did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.