Overview

• The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for advancing democratic rights and pursuing a nonviolent shift from dictatorship to democracy.
• White House communications director Steven Chong said the decision showed the committee was putting politics over peace after President Donald Trump was not selected.
• Trump reposted Machado’s praise on Truth Social, highlighting her message that the award recognizes Venezuelans’ struggle and her gratitude for his support.
• Formal nominations for the 2025 prize closed on January 31 and remain confidential for 50 years, despite public claims by Malta’s foreign minister Ian Borg and others that they nominated or backed Trump.
• Following mass Russian strikes on Oct. 10, Ukrainian aide Andriy Yermak said President Volodymyr Zelensky was on a call with President Trump on Oct. 11, a day after Zelensky discussed security guarantees with Finland’s Alexander Stubb.