The prestigious Nobel Peace Prize is governed by rules that are not open to negotiation or personal gesture. This was made unequivocally clear when the Norwegian Nobel Committee responded to an extraordinary offer from Venezuelan opposition leader Corina Machado. Machado, the 2024 laureate, had publicly suggested she would share her award with former US President Donald Trump. The committee's secretary, Olav Njølstad, delivered a firm and definitive rejection of this proposal.
The Unprecedented Offer from a Laureate
Corina Machado, a prominent figure leading the opposition against President Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela, was announced as the winner of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize on October 11. The award recognised her courageous fight for democratic rights and fundamental freedoms under extremely challenging conditions. However, in a surprising turn of events, Machado stated in an interview with The American Conservative that she was willing to give the prize to Donald Trump.
Her reasoning stemmed from her belief that Trump's administration had played a crucial role in supporting her cause. She credited the "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions implemented during Trump's presidency for creating significant difficulties for the Maduro regime. In her view, this external pressure was vital for the Venezuelan opposition's struggle.
The Nobel Committee's Firm and Unambiguous Stance
The committee did not take long to clarify the impossibility of Machado's offer. Secretary Olav Njølstad was direct in his communication to The Associated Press. He stated that there is no provision for a laureate to give away or share the Nobel Peace Prize after it has been awarded. The decision of the committee is final and cannot be altered by the recipient.
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee never comments on what laureates may say after the prize has been awarded," Njølstad noted. However, he made a critical exception to this rule to address the specific question of transferring the prize. His message was clear: the Nobel Peace Prize, once bestowed, is non-transferable and non-negotiable. This underscores the integrity and fixed protocols of the century-old institution.
Context and Political Repercussions
This incident highlights the deeply political context surrounding Machado's award and her work. Venezuela remains sharply divided, with Machado being a symbol of resistance for many. Her attempt to credit Trump places her Nobel victory within the complex arena of international geopolitics. The offer, though legally impossible, was a stark political statement aimed at acknowledging a foreign leader she views as an ally.
The committee's swift response also serves to protect the apolitical nature of the prize's administration. By immediately shutting down any speculation about prize transfer, the Nobel Institute maintains its stance that the award is given for specific achievements and is not a tool for political endorsement or diplomacy by the laureates after the fact.
Ultimately, while Corina Machado's intentions may have been to make a symbolic gesture of gratitude, the rules of the Nobel Foundation are not designed to accommodate such acts. The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize remains solely and officially awarded to Corina Machado for her fight for democracy in Venezuela. The episode adds a unique footnote to the history of the awards, demonstrating the strict boundaries within which the Nobel institutions operate.
