The Nobel Institute has issued a definitive rejection to this year's Peace Prize laureate, informing her that the prestigious award cannot be gifted to another individual. This comes after Venezuelan exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado suggested presenting her prize to former US President Donald Trump.
Statutes Forbid Sharing or Transferring the Award
In a clear statement, the Nobel Institute cited its foundational statutes, declaring that the decision to award a Nobel Prize is "final and stands for all time." The organisation explicitly told Machado that her award "cannot be revoked, shared or transferred" to anyone else. This formal warning was delivered ahead of a planned meeting between Machado and the former American leader.
Machado's Gesture and Trump's Response
Machado, who won the prize in October 2024, expressed her intention to give the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump as a symbolic act. She framed it as an expression of gratitude from the Venezuelan people for his role in the removal of Nicolás Maduro's regime. Donald Trump, commenting on the proposal, stated that he would be "honoured to accept" the prize if it were offered to him.
The Venezuelan politician has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has faced significant political challenges in her own country. Notably, she was barred from running in the 2024 general election in Venezuela.
Implications for the Prize's Legacy
This unusual situation underscores the rigid protocols governing the world's most famous peace award. The Nobel Institute's swift and firm response aims to protect the integrity and solemnity of the prize, preventing it from becoming a political token to be passed between allies. The incident highlights the complex intersection of international diplomacy, personal gratitude, and institutional rules.
With the committee's ruling now public, any potential presentation during Machado and Trump's meeting will be purely ceremonial, lacking the official sanction of the Nobel Foundation. The episode adds a new, unexpected chapter to the history of the Nobel Peace Prize.
