(NewsNation) — Republican leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., were among those who supported the nomination of eventual Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado.

The White House accused the Nobel Committee of playing politics by awarding the prize to Machado instead of President Donald Trump, who has lobbied for nomination since taking office. Trump has focused on his contribution to ending conflicts, including the recent peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

However, the deadline for nominations is Jan. 31, and the committee debates the selection over the following months. This year's winner was announced Friday.

Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader and an activist for democracy, was praised in a letter signed by Rubio and Scott last yea

See Full Page