In a significant announcement, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee lauded her for her unwavering commitment to promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her dedicated efforts toward achieving a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
Ms. Machado, 58, the eldest daughter of a prominent steelmaking family, received an elite education in Caracas and Wellesley, Massachusetts. She began her career in engineering and finance before transitioning to political activism. In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation, providing aid to children in poverty, and a decade later, co-founded Súmate, a voter rights group that unsuccessfully sought to recall former President Hugo Chávez.
Her political influence grew, leading to her election to the National Assembly in 2010 with a record number of votes. As the leader of the Vente Venezuela opposition party, she announced her presidential bid for the 2024 election. However, she was controversially barred from running due to alleged financial irregularities from her time as a national legislator. She subsequently endorsed another opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia.
Despite widespread belief that Mr. González won the 2024 election, supported by independent observers like the Carter Center, President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory. In the wake of what was largely perceived as a rigged election, Ms. Machado has been living in hiding since last year. This climate of authoritarianism, marked by crushed protests, arrested dissidents, and a significant exodus from the country, underscores the risks she has faced.
Upon being informed of her selection, Ms. Machado expressed profound humility in a video shared by the Nobel Committee, stating, “Oh my god. Well, I have no words. This is an achievement of a whole society. I am just, you know, one person. I certainly do not deserve this.” She added, “I’m honored, humbled. I’m very grateful on behalf of the Venezuelan people. We’re not there yet. We’re working very hard to achieve it, but I’m sure that we will prevail.” Edmundo González himself shared a video of her in shock after the news broke. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, acknowledged that the committee carefully considered the security implications of awarding the prize to someone in hiding, hoping the honor would bolster her cause and enable her to attend the December ceremony.
The announcement has drawn varied reactions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time advocate for Machado, had previously supported her nomination and praised her resilience. In contrast, the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, reacted to the news by stating that the Nobel Committee “proved they place politics over peace,” alluding to President Trump’s long-standing, public desire for the award.
Ms. Machado joins a distinguished group of female democracy campaigners recognized by the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2023, Narges Mohammadi of Iran was honored for her fight for women’s rights, and in 1991, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar received the prize for her nonviolent struggle for democracy. Both Mohammadi and Aung San Suu Kyi were imprisoned when they received their awards and remain so today, facing severe health challenges. Other notable female laureates include Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, who were joint honorees in 2011.
The committee maintains a secretive nomination and selection process, receiving thousands of nominations annually. This year, 338 candidates were considered. Jorgen Watne Frydnes reiterated that decisions are based solely on Alfred Nobel’s will, not external pressures or public campaigns, addressing questions about former President Trump’s lobbying efforts for the prize.
The current U.S.-Venezuela relationship has been tense, with the Trump administration escalating rhetoric against drug cartels and pushing for President Maduro’s ouster. These geopolitical dynamics add another layer of complexity to Machado’s award.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, for their enduring efforts toward nuclear disarmament and their powerful testimonies against nuclear weapons. This highlights the committee’s broad recognition of individuals and groups striving for peace and human dignity.