The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday announced that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025.
The prize recognizes Machado’s long-standing and unyielding commitment to democratic principles in Venezuela, where the country’s political crisis has deepened under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro.
Announcing the decision at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, the committee stated:
“She is receiving the Nobel 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.”
Machado has been a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition, constantly challenging the Maduro regime despite being barred from holding public office and facing persistent political persecution. The award recognizes her significant risk and dedication in advocating for a return to democratic governance in the South American nation.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
Further details on the committee’s specific motivations and Machado’s response are expected to be released shortly.
