Oslo, Norway: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering efforts to promote democratic rights and advocate for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in her country.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee described Machado as a “brave and committed champion of peace,” highlighting her determination to “keep the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”
“Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. Yet, the world faces a retreat of democratic values, with rising authoritarian regimes challenging norms and resorting to violence,” the Committee noted.
Machado has dedicated years to defending the freedoms of the Venezuelan people. The Committee emphasized that the repression in Venezuela is part of a broader global trend, where the rule of law is undermined, independent media is silenced, critics are jailed, and societies are pushed toward authoritarianism. Despite record numbers of elections held in 2024, the Committee observed that fewer are free and fair.
“Maria Corina Machado has demonstrated that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace,” the Committee said. “She has united the opposition in her country, resisted the militarization of Venezuelan society, and consistently supported a peaceful transition to democracy. She embodies hope for a future where citizens’ fundamental rights are respected and their voices are heard.”
Machado meets all three criteria outlined in Alfred Nobel’s will for selecting a Peace Prize laureate, the Committee added. Her work reflects a commitment to nonviolence, democratic engagement, and human rights advocacy.
The announcement follows this week’s Nobel Prize awards in chemistry, physics, medicine, and literature. The Nobel Prize in Economics is scheduled to be revealed on Monday.
