Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on Thursday, in a symbolic gesture aimed at gaining sway over U.S. policy toward her country's political future.

A White House official confirmed Trump intends to keep the medal. The president later thanked Machado on social media, calling it a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect." Machado described the meeting as "excellent" and said the gift acknowledged Trump's commitment to Venezuelan freedom.

The move follows Trump's dismissal of installing Machado as Venezuela's leader following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. Trump, who has openly expressed desire for the Nobel prize, has instead praised interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former deputy, as "very good to deal with."

While the physical medal was transferred, the Norwegian Nobel Institute states the honor itself cannot be transferred or revoked. Machado, who fled Venezuela in December, is competing for influence as various factions jostle to shape the country's post-Maduro direction.

After the White House meeting, Machado met with bipartisan senators on Capitol Hill, where she reportedly expressed skepticism about democratic progress under Rodríguez. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) noted Machado's warning that repression continues unchanged and that Rodríguez is becoming "more entrenched by the day" with Trump's support.

Trump has emphasized securing U.S. access to Venezuelan oil and rebuilding the economy over immediate democratic transition. Rodríguez, in a recent address, called for diplomacy with the U.S. and proposed reforms to attract foreign investment to Venezuela's oil sector.