In a landmark announcement that has captured global attention, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to democratic rights and peaceful political transition in Venezuela.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Machado for her courage and resilience, describing her as a symbol of hope for millions of Venezuelans enduring years of political repression and economic hardship.
“María Corina Machado has helped keep the flame of democracy burning against a growing darkness,” the committee stated during the official announcement ceremony in Oslo on Friday.
Machado, a longtime critic of Venezuela’s ruling regime, has faced multiple arrests, bans, and threats over the years. Despite this, she has continued to push for free and fair elections, human rights protections, and a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
The Nobel Committee hailed her as a leader who has “stood firm against authoritarianism, choosing dialogue and determination over violence and despair.”
Global leaders and human rights organizations have already begun congratulating Machado, with many calling the recognition “a victory for the Venezuelan people.”
This year’s award places Machado among notable global figures who have received the Peace Prize for defending democratic ideals, including Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Aung San Suu Kyi.