The FW de Klerk Foundation, named after one of South Africa’s recipients of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, is greatly concerned about the recent foreign policy developments in the United States (“US”) under the Presidency of Donald Trump, such as the military intervention in Venezuela and the announced take-over of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which is also a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (“NATO”).

As one of the four South African Foundations bearing the names of individuals who worked for freedom, constitutional democracy and the rule of law, we urge President Trump and political leaders around the globe to exhaust all diplomatic instruments of peaceful conflict resolution, as military interventions and wars cannot be contained in a globalized and interconnected world, and should be avoided at all costs. We further urge world leaders to respect and adhere to international laws and supranational institutions, such as the United Nations, as the world simply cannot afford to regress to a stage where might makes rights. 

During a meeting at the White House on 16 January 2026, Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado handed over her recently awarded Nobel Peace Prize Medal to President Donald Trump as “recognition of his commitment to her country’s freedom“. This seemingly symbolic gesture comes at a time when the Trump administration gears up for further military intervention in other countries, most notably Greenland. The recent renaming of the US Department of Defence to the Department of War is another indication that the current US government is more inclined than previous administrations to use military force for the achievement of narrow geopolitical goals and interests. Taking the available modern arsenal of weapons that could potentially be used in a WW3 scenario into account, this administration’s inclination for the use of military force could lead to unimaginable human suffering and destruction.

While the Nobel Committee has already issued a statement, in which it made clear that the Prize is not transferable, the gesture by Ms Machado remains problematic as it downgrades the prestigious Prize to a currency which is used to buy political influence and support. 

Previously, the US President declined to endorse Machado as Venezuela’s leader despite her movement claiming victory in the widely contested 2024 elections. Whether President Trump has changed his mind after receiving the gold medal from Ms Machado is left to be seen. 

It is the Foundation’s belief that the Nobel Peace Prize should not be abused as a currency to buy political support and that the medal is not just a recognition for what has been achieved in the past. Instead, we strongly believe that the award should act as an encouragement for recipients to continue their efforts and that the prize comes with the responsibility to vigorously safeguard freedom, democracy and the rule of law, as all of these elements are required for lasting peace – which should never be taken for granted.