The Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado, a leader of the democratic movement in Venezuela. She was recognized for her "tireless struggle for citizens' rights and the peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."
As the committee noted in a statement, Machado became "one of the most striking examples of civic courage in Latin America" and played a key role in uniting the opposition, which had long remained divided.
"She became a person who managed to unite political forces around a common goal - holding free elections and creating a truly representative government. This is the foundation of democracy," the Nobel Committee emphasized.
The politician has been advocating for free elections, judicial independence and human rights in Venezuela for more than two decades. In 2024, she was barred from running for president, after which she supported another opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia. Despite pressure and persecution, the opposition conducted a massive election observation campaign that showed the opposition candidate winning. However, the Venezuelan regime refused to admit defeat.
"During the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats to her life, she remained in the country, a choice that inspired millions of people. Maria Corina Machado has demonstrated that the tools of democracy are also tools of peace," the statement said.
The committee noted that Machado meets all three criteria specified in Alfred Nobel's will: she has united the opposition, consistently opposed the militarization of society, and remained faithful to the idea of a peaceful transition to democracy.
Recall, Trump believes that the United States will be offended if he does not receive the Nobel Prize for "ending wars."
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