The White House has sharply criticized the Nobel selection committee's selection to bestow the prestigious peace award to someone other than Donald Trump.
Immediate Reaction Following Award Announcement
After the recent declaration that Venezuelan opposition politician the Venezuelan opposition leader had received the international recognition, top advisors to the US president attacked the selection panel as influenced by politics while Norway prepared for a potential diplomatic response from the US administration.
"The awarding body showed they prioritize political considerations over peaceful efforts," declared Steven Cheung.
Trump will "continue making peace deals, stopping hostilities, and protecting civilians," he wrote. "He demonstrates the compassion of a diplomat, and there will never be anyone like him who can achieve the impossible with the pure power of his will."
Background of the Former President's Nobel Campaign
Trump had publicly, though disdainfully, campaigned for the award, spearheading a Gaza peace deal before the prize revelation by the Norwegian Nobel Committee – a consideration that international negotiators and former negotiators said played a role in his timeline for a truce.
The American president had also lobbied high-level Norway representatives and was backed for the honor by his allied figures, who spoke publicly this timeframe to insist that the committee honor Trump for his contributions in the Middle East.
Committee's Declaration on Authoritarianism
In its statement, the awarding body criticized the increasing trend of authoritarianism in the South American nation and in states around the world. The statement was rapidly seized upon by the president's opponents, who interpreted it as a fairly obvious criticism at the US president's use of the defense resources in domestic locations and measures on his adversaries at domestically.
"When anti-democratic leaders seize power, it is essential to acknowledge fearless protectors of democracy who emerge and oppose," the panel wrote. "Free societies requires people who refuse to stay silent, who take brave stands despite serious danger, and who remind us that democratic rights must always be valued, but must always be defended – with speech, with determination and with resolve."
Analyst Views on the Development
Christopher Sabatini, a expert analyst for the region at the policy institute, suspected Trump would be "displeased" by the result.
"He had lobbied openly for this award, even overstating his involvement to global stability worldwide. He has mobilized significant defense resources at substantial diplomatic price to him, honestly, off the coast of Venezuela. And then the prize he really wanted gets awarded from him by the figure he is supposedly supporting. I can't see how this will sit well for a person who wears personal grievance on his publicly."
The analyst thought Caracas leadership would be upset about Machado's award. "However it may even be – given the former president's anticipated private feelings to this – that it could even play a somewhat to their benefit."
