The Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her steadfast efforts to champion democracy and human rights in her country. The announcement was made on October 10, 2025, by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo.
The committee cited 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.” They also recognized her role as a “key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided.”
At 58, Machado has faced significant political obstacles. In 2024, she was barred from running for president by Venezuela’s courts and now lives in hiding under threat of arrest. Despite this, she has continued to lead opposition efforts within the country.
The Nobel decision also draws attention to Donald Trump, who had campaigned for the Peace Prize this year but was not selected. The committee’s choice is widely seen as a message highlighting democratic activism over geopolitical maneuvering.
Machado is the first Venezuelan to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, 2025, in Oslo.
Her recognition resonates deeply amid Venezuela’s ongoing political and economic crisis, where millions have fled, and the Maduro government has faced accusations of repression, unfair elections, and human rights violations.
The Nobel Committee emphasized that Machado’s award is not just for her personal struggle, but for the broader movement she represents one that continues to fight for inclusive governance, free elections, and civil liberties under immense pressure.
