Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Awarded for Democracy Advocacy
Oslo, Norway – October 10, 2025 – The Nobel Peace Committee has awarded the 2025 nobel Peace Prize too Venezuelan politician María corina Machado for her unwavering commitment to promoting democratic rights and freedoms in Venezuela.The proclamation, made earlier today at 11:00 CET, recognizes Machado’s decades-long struggle against authoritarianism and her tireless efforts to restore democratic institutions in a nation grappling with political and economic turmoil.
The prize arrives at a critical juncture for Venezuela, a country where democratic processes have been severely curtailed under the Nicolás Maduro regime. Machado’s work-including her persistent calls for free and fair elections, her advocacy for political prisoners, and her efforts to mobilize civil society-has provided a vital voice for those seeking a peaceful and democratic future. The award underscores the international community’s growing concern over the erosion of democracy in Venezuela and offers a powerful endorsement of the country’s pro-democracy movement.
Machado, a vocal critic of Maduro, secured a landslide victory in opposition primaries held on october 22, 2023, to choose a challenger for the 2024 presidential election.Though, she was afterward barred from holding public office for eight years in a move widely condemned as politically motivated. Despite facing notable obstacles and threats, Machado has continued to champion democratic ideals and maintain pressure on the Maduro government.
The Nobel Committee stated its decision was motivated by Machado’s “courageous and persistent work to advance democratic principles and human rights in Venezuela, even in the face of significant personal risk.” The committee further emphasized the importance of supporting democratic movements worldwide, notably in contexts where authoritarianism is on the rise.
The Nobel Peace Prize, worth 11 million Swedish krona (approximately $1 million USD), will be presented in Oslo on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The award is expected to amplify Machado’s voice on the international stage and further galvanize support for democratic change in Venezuela.
