- Immigrant Times
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2025
Venezuelan democracy fighter María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
“She inspires hope in countries fighting authoritarianism”
María Corina Machado awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to democratic rights and peaceful resistance against authoritarianism
October 2025: In a decision that is being celebrated across Latin America and delighted the world beyond, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy activist, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to democratic rights and peaceful resistance against authoritarianism.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Machado as one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times, citing her decades-long struggle to promote free elections, representative governance, and civil liberties in Venezuela.
Born in Caracas in 1967, Machado trained as an industrial engineer before entering public life. In 2002, she co-founded ‘Súmate’, a civil society organisation dedicated to electoral transparency and democratic education. Her activism quickly drew the ire of Venezuela’s ruling regime, culminating in her expulsion from the National Assembly in 2014 despite winning a record number of votes.
As leader of the Vente Venezuela party, Machado has become a unifying figure in a fragmented opposition. In 2023, she announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, only to be barred from running by the Maduro government. Undeterred, she threw her support behind Edmundo González Urrutia, helping mobilize a nationwide campaign that documented widespread electoral irregularities.
Despite threats to her life and periods spent in hiding, Machado has remained in Venezuela, a decision the Nobel Committee said “inspired millions” and exemplified the peaceful tools of democracy.
Machado’s recognition comes amid growing concerns about democratic backsliding worldwide. The Nobel Committee emphasised that her award is not only a tribute to Venezuela’s struggle but a reminder that “democracy is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries”.
Her selection also defied speculation that the prize might go to US President Donald Trump, who had publicly lobbied for the honour following his ceasefire proposal in the Gaza conflict. The committee instead prioritised sustained, grassroots efforts over high-profile diplomatic gestures.
Machado will receive the Nobel Peace Prize on 10 December 2025 in Oslo, joining a distinguished lineage of laureates who have championed human rights and democratic values. Her win signals renewed international attention to Venezuela’s political crisis and offers hope to those fighting for freedom under repressive regimes.
As Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Nobel Committee, stated: “She embodies the hope of a different future.”
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