Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless efforts in promoting democratic rights and leading a peaceful struggle to restore democracy in Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday.
The committee hailed Machado as a “courageous defender of freedom” who has persistently advocated for democratic transition in a nation long gripped by authoritarian rule. “When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” the committee stated in its citation.
Machado, a longtime critic of Venezuela’s socialist regime, has faced imprisonment, disqualification from political office, and harassment for her outspoken stance against government repression. Despite these challenges, she has continued to mobilize civil society and advocate for transparent elections and human rights in Venezuela.
The committee’s decision drew attention not only for honoring Venezuela’s democratic movement but also for sidelining U.S. President Donald Trump, who had openly expressed his belief that he deserved the prestigious award.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed credit for various peace initiatives during his presidency, was widely speculated by his supporters to be a contender this year.
However, analysts and Nobel observers had predicted that Trump’s aggressive foreign policy and his tendency to undermine multilateral institutions made him an unlikely candidate for an award rooted in global cooperation and diplomacy.
The Nobel Committee’s decision, therefore, underscores its continued emphasis on individuals who champion peace and democracy under repressive regimes.
The Nobel Peace Prize, worth 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.2 million), will be formally presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Machado’s recognition marks a significant moment for Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, offering renewed hope to those seeking political reform and human rights in the country.
