Nobel Peace Goes to Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her courage amid threats and political persecution. Machado, now in hiding, says the award honors all Venezuelans fighting for freedom.
Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Venezuela’s Fight for Democracy Quick Looks
- María Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
- Honored for defending democracy amid rising authoritarianism in Venezuela
- Machado has been in hiding since January amid political persecution
- She was disqualified from running against President Nicolás Maduro
- Supporters jailed; some forced into exile or hiding
- Nobel committee calls her a unifying figure for peaceful resistance
- Machado says Venezuela is close to achieving freedom
- U.S. Secretary of State Rubio calls her the “Venezuelan Iron Lady”
- No response yet from Maduro’s government
- Trump’s Nobel hopes dashed despite Gaza ceasefire involvement
Deep Look
María Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize for Leading Venezuela’s Democratic Struggle
OSLO, NORWAY — Oct. 10, 2025 — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognized globally for her courageous and peaceful fight to bring democratic change to a country gripped by political repression and authoritarian rule.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Machado for her unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance, describing her as a woman who “keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”
“In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding,” said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the committee.
“Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country. Her choice has inspired millions.”
A Symbol of Peaceful Defiance
Machado, a former presidential candidate and longtime critic of President Nicolás Maduro, has been at the forefront of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement for over a decade. In 2024, she was expected to challenge Maduro in the presidential election but was disqualified by the regime.
Following the election—widely criticized as fraudulent—Machado went into hiding, where she remains today.
Despite the repression, she maintains that peaceful resistance is the only viable path forward.
“This award belongs to the Venezuelan people,” she said in a call with the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
“Even though we face brutal violence, our society has resisted and continued to fight peacefully.”
Machado also expressed hope that Venezuela was “very close to achieving freedom” and urged the global community to act urgently.
A Brutal Crackdown
The 2024 election, manipulated by Maduro’s loyalist-controlled National Electoral Council, triggered mass protests, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people and the arrest of dozens more. Diplomatic ties between Venezuela and several countries, including Argentina, were cut in the aftermath.
Opposition figure Edmundo González, who replaced Machado on the ballot, is now in exile in Spain after an arrest warrant was issued against him. His son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, is among more than 800 political prisoners in Venezuela, according to human rights group Foro Penal.
Many of Machado’s campaign aides fled or sought refuge in diplomatic compounds before escaping to the United States.
“We are living under tyranny,” González said, celebrating Machado’s Nobel Prize as a “well-deserved recognition” of both her efforts and those of all Venezuelans seeking liberty.
Global Support and National Reaction
The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize was met with mixed emotions in Caracas. While some Venezuelans expressed disbelief, others called it a beacon of hope.
“She’s a great woman,” said Sandra Martínez, 32, waiting at a bus stop in Caracas.
“I don’t know what can be done to improve the situation, but she deserves it.”
So far, there has been no official response from Maduro’s government.
Despite past momentum, support for Venezuela’s opposition has waned since Maduro’s January 2025 inauguration for a third six-year term. Disillusionment has set in, but the Nobel Prize could reignite international pressure and public morale.
A Historic Honor for a Resilient Woman
María Corina Machado is the 20th woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in its 124-year history. She was also named to Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in April, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote that she is the “Venezuelan Iron Lady” and “the personification of resilience, tenacity, and patriotism.”
“She has shown the world that the struggle for democracy is not only courageous—it’s necessary,” Rubio said.
Machado’s leadership has unified opposition groups that were previously fragmented, making her one of the most significant political figures in modern Venezuelan history.
Trump’s Nobel Bid Falls Short
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement was also accompanied by widespread speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump might receive the honor for his role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza earlier this week.
Trump himself had amplified the speculation, while his supporters launched a media campaign calling for his recognition.
However, Jørgen Watne Frydnes of the Nobel Committee made it clear that such lobbying efforts do not influence their decision.
“We receive thousands of letters every year from people advocating for candidates. Our decision is based on Alfred Nobel’s will and the merit of the work alone,” Frydnes said.
White House spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the decision, writing on X:
“President Trump will continue making peace deals around the world, ending wars, and saving lives. The Nobel Committee has shown it values politics over peace.”
Looking Ahead
While Machado remains out of public view, her Nobel Peace Prize shines a global spotlight on Venezuela’s political crisis, potentially raising the stakes for the Maduro regime and revitalizing efforts to restore democracy in one of Latin America’s most troubled nations.
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