Oslo — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 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.”
Her selection came in a year when Donald Trump had publicly sought the Nobel Peace Prize and drew wide media attention for his claims. Despite several nominations, Trump did not receive the award.
Key Facts About Maria Corina Machado
Background and Career: Machado was born in 1967 in Venezuela. She is an industrial engineer by training and entered public life early, co-founding the NGO Sumate and later becoming a founding member and national coordinator of the political party Vente Venezuela.
Political Role: She served as a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly between 2011 and 2014, winning her seat with one of the highest vote counts in her district.
Opposition Leadership: Machado has been a prominent voice against the government of Nicolás Maduro, advocating for electoral transparency, human rights, and democratic reforms. She has faced political bans, persecution, and restrictions on her ability to run for office.
Recent Efforts: In the 2024 presidential election, she claimed that while barred from participating, she supported the candidacy of Edmundo González and worked to document irregularities at polling stations.
Why the Nobel Committee Chose Machado
The Nobel Committee cited several reasons for awarding Machado the Peace Prize:
Defense of democracy: Her efforts to uphold democratic rights under increasing authoritarian pressure were central to the decision.
Unification of opposition: The Committee recognized her role in organizing a fragmented opposition and resisting militarization of society.
Peaceful transition: Her steadfast advocacy for change through democratic and nonviolent means aligned well with the principles of the Peace Prize.
The Committee remarked that “the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace,” noting that Machado embodies the hope for a future where fundamental rights are respected and citizens’ voices are heard.
Trump’s Nobel Aspirations and Machado’s Victory
Trump’s nominations: Over recent years, Trump has been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, including for his involvement in diplomatic efforts and regional ceasefires.
Public campaign: Trump has publicly stated he deserves the Nobel, citing his foreign policy efforts.
Why Machado over Trump: Analysts noted that the Nobel committee works independently, and Machado’s decades of activism and resistance in a repressive environment met criteria of long-term dedication and moral courage.
This recognition places Maria Corina Machado in the global spotlight, as a democratic advocate who succeeded where many public figures—Trump included—attempted but did not achieve: the Nobel Peace Prize.
