The Norwegian Nobel Institute, which supports the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, has categorically refused to allow for the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, to be given to US President Donald Trump.
Once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it can’t be revoked, transferred or shared with others, the institute said in a short statement on Friday.
“The decision is final and stands for all time,” it said.
The institute’s statement comes after Machado expressed her desire to give or share the prize with Trump, who recently ordered a military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which ended with Maduro and his wife’s capture by the US armed forces. The two now face drug trafficking charges in New York.
Machado, who is scheduled to visit the US soon, as per Trump, had dedicated her Nobel award to the President and the people of Venezuela shortly after it was announced.
Also Read: Open to US military action against Maduro, hints Machado
On Monday, she told a TV show host that Trump’s military action in Caracas is “historic” and a “huge step towards a democratic transition”.
“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,” she said.
Trump has openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office, reiterating on Saturday that “nobody deserves it more” than him. He told the same TV show host earlier on Thursday that Machado plans to visit next week and referred to a potential Peace Prize offering as a “great honour”.
However, as much as the US President basks in the affection showered upon him by Machado, whom he called a “very nice woman”, he has denied allowing her to govern Venezuela, saying she is “not popular” with the people there.
Trump has so far backed acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who served as vice president under Maduro’s rule.
A representative for Machado did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
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