The Nobel Committee granted this year’s Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, despite growing calls for President Trump to be honored for mediating a landmark Israel-Hamas agreement. Because nominations closed on Jan. 31, Trump could still be considered for next year’s award.

The Nobel Committee chose Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as this year’s Peace Prize winner, even as many voices including supporters of President Trump had argued that he deserved the honor for his role in brokering a landmark Israel–Hamas agreement. Machado was honored for her steadfast advocacy for democracy and human rights under Venezuela’s authoritarian regime.

Trump’s supporters made a push to recognize his diplomacy in brokering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza, but the Nobel Committee’s rules created a procedural obstacle. The deadline for nominations this year was January 31, meaning any efforts to petition for Trump now are moot. Some valid nominations for Trump had already been submitted by Rep. Claudia Tenney and law professor Anat Beck-Alon before the cutoff citing his peace initiative as the basis. Because the nominations window has passed, Trump remains eligible only for future Nobel Peace Prizes, not the one awarded this year.

In making its decision, the Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized that its choice was based on principles rather than popularity or external lobbying. Though Trump had aggressively pushed a narrative of deserving the prize, the Committee maintained that Machado’s long-term struggle for democracy in Venezuela aligned more closely with Alfred Nobel’s vision for the Peace Prize.

While Trump’s influence in Middle East diplomacy may figure into future awards, this year’s honor went to a leader whose activism spans more than a single agreement and whose fight for freedom continues under threat.