Nobel Committee Rejects Machado’s Offer to Share Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared, transferred, or revoked, responding to remarks by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado that she wished to dedicate her award to former US President Donald Trump. The statement has put to rest speculation surrounding the legal status of the prize and reaffirmed the permanence of Nobel decisions.

Nobel Committee’s Clarification

In an official statement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said that once a Nobel Prize is announced, the decision stands for all time. The committee stressed that the prize itself cannot be shared or reassigned to another individual, regardless of the laureate’s intentions. While prize money may be used at the discretion of the recipient, the Nobel Peace Prize title remains exclusively with the declared laureate.

Machado’s Statement and Background

María Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in opposing authoritarianism in Venezuela, said she wished to dedicate the award to Donald Trump. Speaking to US media, she credited Trump for actions she claimed contributed significantly to political change in Venezuela. Her comments followed a US military operation in Caracas and the subsequent transfer of Nicolás Maduro to the United States to face criminal charges.

Reaction from Trump and Political Context

Trump welcomed Machado’s gesture and said he would discuss the matter during her planned visit to Washington. He has repeatedly argued that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, claiming credit for resolving multiple conflicts during his second presidential term. He has also criticised the award of the prize to former president Barack Obama in 2009, calling it premature.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred once awarded.
• The Norwegian Nobel Committee decides the Peace Prize independently of other Nobel categories.
• Prize money can be used freely by laureates, but the title remains non-transferable.
• The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually in Oslo, Norway.

Nobel Institute’s Position Going Forward

The Norwegian Nobel Institute added that it does not comment on the actions or statements of laureates after the award has been granted, though it continues to monitor developments linked to prize recipients. The clarification underscores the strict statutes governing Nobel Prizes and highlights the limits of political symbolism when it comes to one of the world’s most prestigious international honours.