Despite heavy campaign, Trump loses Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan politician

The committee said she was awarded the Nobel “for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.”

US President Donald Trump has lost the Nobel Peace Prize despite his intense campaign to win it.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday that it has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to María Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader.

The committee chair, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, said Ms Machando was recognised for her tireless efforts to promote democracy in Venezuela.

The committee said she was awarded the Nobel “for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.”

This comes two days after the Trump-led administration successfully brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and the Israeli government to put an end to the two-year-long war that has led to the death of thousands.

After the announcement on Wednesday, several world leaders openly called for Mr Trump to receive the award.

Since his return to the White House earlier in the year, the US has openly coveted the prize.

At the last minute, his allies sprang into action to help secure the award for him.

But this wasn’t enough as Ms Machado won the prize for being one of the critical voices against Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela.

…More details coming