The Nobel Peace Prize Committee, based in the Norwegian capital Oslo, issued a decisive clarification on Friday, confirming that the identity of the Nobel Peace Prize winner remains fixed in the annals of history and cannot be separated from the person chosen to receive it, regardless of the material fate of the gold medal or the certificate that accompanies it.
This official statement followed a surprise move by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who announced she was gifting her medal, awarded this year, to US President Donald Trump. This gesture comes amid political efforts to rebuild bridges with the US administration, particularly after Machado felt politically marginalized following recent events that saw Washington oust President Nicolás Maduro.
Symbolic ownership versus historical record
In its concise and direct statement, the committee said: "Regardless of what may happen to the medal, diploma, or prize money, only the original laureate is recorded in history as the recipient of the prize." The statement added a crucial point regarding the prize's procedures and protocols, noting that "even if possession of the medal or diploma were subsequently transferred to another person, this would not change the identity of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.".
The committee clarified that it maintains complete neutrality and does not make any political comments regarding the paths chosen by winners after receiving the award, or the alliances they enter into. It also noted that there are no legal restrictions preventing winners from disposing of their prize possessions, pointing to historical precedents where winners have sold or donated their medals for charitable purposes without affecting their status as award recipients.
Political dimensions and timing implications
This incident is particularly significant given the complex political context in Venezuela and its relationship with the United States. Machado was awarded the prize in recognition of her efforts to promote democratic rights and her struggle for a peaceful transition of power. Observers believe that awarding the medal to Trump carries profound political implications, as Trump has long sought this international recognition and has repeatedly stated his entitlement to the prize for his efforts in ending foreign wars.
This move indicates an attempt by the Venezuelan opposition to ensure continued US support in the post-Maduro era, by appealing to the ambitions of the US president, who has long considered the Nobel Prize a personal goal, thus making the medal a diplomatic tool in the struggle for influence and legitimacy.
