Venezuelan opposition leader and pro-democracy advocate, Maria Corina Machado, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday in Oslo.
The committee said Machado was recognised “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.”
Announcing the decision, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, praised Machado’s courage and steadfastness in the face of state repression, political persecution, and personal hardship.
“Maria Corina Machado has become a symbol of democratic resilience in Latin America. Despite intimidation and multiple attempts to silence her, she has remained committed to peaceful change, constitutional order, and the restoration of human rights in Venezuela,” Frydnes said.
Machado, a former member of the Venezuelan National Assembly, has for years been one of the most outspoken critics of President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which she describes as a “criminal dictatorship.” She has faced harassment, disqualification from public office, and repeated threats over her political activities.
Her recognition by the Nobel Committee comes at a critical time, as Venezuela grapples with deep political and economic crises, widespread emigration, and international pressure for democratic reforms.
Global leaders and human rights groups have welcomed the award as a powerful statement in support of democracy and justice in Latin America.
Meanwhile, political analysts noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was also among those speculated to be in contention for this year’s prize, missed out.
The Nobel Peace Prize, first awarded in 1901, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global recognitions for individuals or organisations working toward peace, human rights, and justice.
Machado joins an esteemed list of laureates, including Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and the late Wangari Maathai, whose work has inspired movements for freedom and equality across the world.
