Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering campaign to restore democracy and defend human rights in her crisis-torn country. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her “tireless and courageous efforts to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” describing her as “a symbol of the Venezuelan people’s endurance and hope.”
Machado, 58, an engineer turned activist, emerged as a leading figure in the struggle against President Nicolás Maduro’s government. She rose to prominence through the civic group Súmate and later became one of the most vocal critics of the regime. Her victory in the 2023 opposition primary was widely seen as a turning point, though authorities swiftly disqualified her from running for office, citing alleged administrative irregularities. Forced into hiding, she continued to rally support at great personal risk, as many of her allies were jailed or exiled.
In a video call after the announcement in Oslo, Machado broke down in tears, calling the honor “a victory for an entire nation that refuses to surrender.” She said she was humbled by the award, which she dedicated to “the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.”
Her public mention of former U.S. president Donald Trump, a figure long known for expressing interest in a Nobel Prize himself, immediately drew international attention. In a post on X, Machado wrote that the award was a recognition of both Venezuelans “who fight for liberty” and “those abroad who have stood firmly with us, particularly President Trump.”
The comment sparked mixed reactions across global capitals. Supporters in Latin America and Washington hailed the dedication as an expression of gratitude toward U.S. backing for Venezuelan democracy efforts. Critics, however, said invoking Trump politicized a prize meant to transcend partisan divides.
The Nobel Committee declined to comment on Machado’s dedication but reaffirmed that the award was given “solely on the basis of her peaceful and democratic struggle.” Trump’s campaign team responded with praise, saying Machado’s recognition “vindicates what President Trump achieved in standing up to socialist tyranny in the hemisphere.”
Machado’s recognition underscores the worsening political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, where millions have fled poverty and repression. State media in Caracas downplayed the news, accusing the Nobel Foundation of being manipulated by “foreign powers seeking to destabilize the Bolivarian revolution.”
It remains uncertain whether Machado will be able to attend the Nobel ceremony scheduled for December 10 in Oslo, as she still faces potential arrest if she travels abroad. Nonetheless, her selection has transformed her from a persecuted dissident into an international symbol of democratic resistance — and now, a Nobel laureate whose message has resonated far beyond Venezuela’s borders.
