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The congresswoman María Elvira Salazar described this Thursday as "historic" the gesture of the opposition leader María Corina Machado in offering her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump, and stated that the act "speaks louder than any speech."
In a message posted on her Facebook profile, Salazar stated that the Venezuelan opposition leader honored the liberation of the Venezuelan people and acknowledged Trump for standing firm "when they needed it the most."
According to the Republican lawmaker, Machado's gesture reflects "patriotism without calculation" and a leadership forged in sacrifice, following years of persecution and exile.
Salazar also stated that Venezuelans "will never forget this act of selfless love for the nation."
In the same vein, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart praised the meeting between Trump and Machado at the White House in a post on X, describing it as a significant moment for democracy and freedom.
Díaz-Balart highlighted the courage and leadership of the Venezuelan leader, noting that these qualities reflect the overwhelming desire of the Venezuelan people to reclaim their country.
He also emphasized that Trump's "decisive and firm" leadership reinforces the United States' commitment to defending freedom and security in the region.
The reactions from the congress members came after President Trump himself confirmed that Machado presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during their meeting on Thursday at the White House.
Trump described the gesture as "a wonderful display of mutual respect" and publicly thanked the Venezuelan leader.
Machado explained that the presentation of the medal was a symbolic recognition of the "commitment to freedom" of the American president, in a context marked by the political transition in Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on January 3, during a U.S. military operation in Caracas.
The Nobel Institute later clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked or transferred, meaning that the recognition officially remains with Machado.
Nevertheless, the gesture was interpreted as a sign of political rapprochement between the opposition leader and Trump, who in the past had questioned her ability to lead the Venezuelan transition.
On social media, Venezuelan followers and exiles celebrated the event, expressed gratitude for the support of the U.S. government, and praised Machado's leadership as a guide for the Venezuelan people towards freedom.
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