In a significant announcement, María Corina Machado, a leading Venezuelan pro-democracy politician, was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The Norwegian Nobel Committee lauded Machado 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.”
Machado’s influence grew as she galvanized a powerful social movement, inspiring thousands to take to the streets ahead of last year’s election. This resurgence of civic engagement followed years of political apathy in Venezuela, a period marked by President Nicolás Maduro’s government suppressing protests, arresting dissidents, and triggering a massive exodus from the country.
The Nobel committee operates through a highly secretive process, accepting nominations from a vast pool of thousands. While the official list of nominees remains confidential, some names are occasionally revealed by their nominators. This year saw 338 candidates—comprising 244 individuals and 94 organizations—vying for the esteemed prize. The ultimate selection is made in secret by a five-person committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.
This week’s Nobel ceremonies also celebrated achievements in other fields. The Literature Prize was awarded to Hungary’s Laszlo Krasznahorkai, while the Physics Prize went to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics and electric circuits. The final Nobel, in Economics, is slated for announcement on October 13.
Looking back, last year’s Peace Prize was bestowed upon Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many members of this group have devoted their lives to sharing harrowing testimonies of loss and pain, aiming to convey the unimaginable horror of nuclear war and champion global nuclear disarmament. Formed in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo became a powerful voice for survivors’ rights and has collected thousands of testimonies, sending delegations to international conferences to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons. Even last year, over 100,000 survivors of the 1945 bombings were still alive, many of whom endured survivor’s guilt, radiation-induced illnesses, and societal ostracism in Japan as reminders of the atomic devastation. The Nobel Committee recognized their dedication to demonstrating that nuclear weapons must never be used again. Terumi Tanaka, a co-chair, has continued his fervent activism, warning that countries are increasingly relying on nuclear deterrence, a trend that could lead to a catastrophic World War III.
In related news, former President Donald Trump has long harbored an ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, frequently expressing his frustration publicly and privately about not receiving the honor. This pursuit has spanned years, with several groups and individuals, including leaders from Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia, claiming to have nominated him. However, this year’s award was intended to acknowledge achievements from 2024, prior to Mr. Trump’s potential return to the White House. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, addressed inquiries about Trump’s public campaign, stating that while the committee receives numerous letters supporting specific candidates annually, their decisions are guided solely by the principles established by Alfred Nobel when he founded the prize. Critics suggest that Trump’s domestic policies, including crackdowns on dissent and attacks on academic freedom, alongside his foreign policy aligning with aggressors and weakening international alliances, could undermine his chances for an award recognizing sustainable and lasting peace.