Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday, in recognition of her courageous resistance to authoritarianism and her unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
Hailed by the committee as a figure of “bold moral leadership,” Machado was honored for her decades-long struggle to promote free elections, civil liberties, and the rule of law in a country gripped by political repression and economic collapse under the regime of President Nicolás Maduro.
“Machado’s resilience in the face of persecution and exile embodies the spirit of nonviolent resistance,” the Nobel Committee said in its citation. “Her dedication to democratic principles continues to inspire millions within Venezuela and beyond.”
Dubbed “Venezuela’s Iron Lady,” the 56-year-old former lawmaker has spent over 14 months in hiding, continuing to coordinate opposition activities and denounce what she and many international observers describe as Maduro’s illegitimate hold on power.
Her efforts to challenge the 2024 presidential election—widely discredited by the United States, European Union, and Organization of American States—led to a wave of government crackdowns against her party and supporters. Yet, despite threats to her safety, Machado has remained a powerful symbol of resistance.
“This prize is not just for me, but for every Venezuelan who refuses to accept dictatorship as destiny,” she said in a brief statement relayed through her representatives.
The Nobel Peace Prize brings global visibility and legitimacy to Venezuela’s fractured opposition movement, which has faced years of government persecution, internal divisions, and shrinking space for dissent.
Machado’s award is being viewed as an international vote of confidence in the country’s pro-democracy movement as it continues to push for credible elections, institutional reform, and humanitarian aid in the face of an unrelenting economic crisis.
Notably absent from this year’s list of nominees was U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously campaigned publicly for the Nobel recognition. Despite heightened international engagement in conflicts abroad, Trump’s nomination window closed in January, shortly after the start of his second term.
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the five original awards established by Alfred Nobel’s will, is granted annually to individuals or organizations who have made the greatest contribution to the advancement of peace. Machado’s selection comes at a time when Venezuela remains deeply polarized, with millions fleeing the country and ongoing concerns about civil rights abuses.
Her recognition places her alongside global figures such as Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi—leaders who have become symbols of resistance against oppression.
As Venezuela prepares for its next round of elections under international scrutiny, Machado’s Nobel win is poised to galvanize both domestic and international support for the country’s long and uncertain road back to democracy.
