The Norwegian Nobel Committee has firmly clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred to another individual. The statement came after Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado reportedly suggested that she would like to award her Nobel Peace Prize to former United States President Donald Trump.
In an official response, the Nobel Committee emphasised that once a Nobel Prize is awarded, it remains permanent, and its decision cannot be altered or passed on under any circumstances.
The news, reported by NDTV, coincides with Machado’s scheduled visit to the United States next week, during which she plans to discuss her proposal with Trump. The visit comes amid the most strained period in US–Venezuelan relations in recent history, following the controversial removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power and his subsequent arrest in the United States on charges including drug trafficking and conspiracy. Additionally, Trump has asserted claims over Venezuela’s vast oil resources, heightening tensions further.
Speaking on the visit, Trump said:
“I believe she wants to come—it’s a very good thing. As far as I understand, this is the reason for her visit.”
Despite Maduro’s arrest and facing multiple criminal charges, Machado did not assume Venezuela’s highest office; instead, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as Maduro’s successor. Trump has previously claimed multiple times that he is a deserving candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, asserting that he ended eight major wars during the first eight months of his second term. He contends that each conflict would merit a separate Nobel Prize, describing them as wars that many considered impossible to resolve.
Trump has also criticised former President Barack Obama, claiming that Obama “did essentially nothing” despite receiving the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after taking office in 2009. Regarding Machado’s upcoming visit to Washington, Trump remarked:
“She will come next week to show respect to our country, really to me. But I am only the representative of the country, nothing more.”
Key Facts at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Nobel Prize Policy | Cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred |
| Proposed Transfer | María Corina Machado → Donald Trump |
| US–Venezuela Tension | Maduro’s arrest, oil claims, strained diplomacy |
| Machado’s Visit | Scheduled for next week in Washington |
| Trump’s Nobel Claims | Ended 8 major wars in first 8 months of second term |
| Obama Criticism | Trump: “Did essentially nothing despite Nobel Prize” |
This latest development underscores both the complex dynamics of Nobel Prize protocol and the heightened political tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Machado’s visit is expected to attract significant attention, particularly given the unusual suggestion of transferring a Nobel accolade to another individual—a practice explicitly forbidden by the Nobel Committee.