Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her as a “brave and committed champion of peace” and democracy.
The announcement was made in Oslo by Nobel Committee Chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes, who praised Machado’s unwavering dedication to the Venezuelan people’s democratic rights.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Nobel Committee said it had awarded Machado the Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Committee praises her courage, commitment
The Nobel Committee described Machado as “a woman who keeps the flame of democracy going, amidst a growing darkness,” calling her one of Latin America’s most extraordinary examples of courage in recent times.
“This is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy—our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree,” the chairman said. “At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground.”
Frydnes highlighted the dangers of political activism in Venezuela, noting that Machado has continued her advocacy despite threats and intimidation.
Defending democracy in dangerous environment
The committee emphasized that democratic work in Venezuela remains extremely dangerous, with dissent often met by repression. Frydnes noted that Machado had stood up for free and fair elections more than 20 years ago, making the deliberate choice of ballots over bullets.
“She has spent years working for freedom,” he said, applauding her persistence in pursuing nonviolent means of political change despite mounting risks.
Machado has long been a key unifying figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement, symbolizing hope for peaceful democratic transition in a nation enduring political and economic turmoil.
Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize comes with a medal, diploma, and a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.16 million or £869,484). As an individual laureate, she will receive the full amount.
Machado’s win marks a historic moment for Venezuela, offering renewed global attention to the country’s ongoing struggle for democratic reform. Supporters across Latin America have hailed the decision as a victory for peaceful resistance and political courage.
