OSLO, Norway (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her long standing fight to defend democratic rights and lead a peaceful movement for political transition in Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” the committee said in its statement, calling Machado’s work a symbol of “peaceful defiance under repression.”
The Nobel Peace Prize, worth about $1.2 million, will be presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
Machado, 57, is one of Venezuela’s most prominent opposition figures. A former lawmaker and founder of the political party Vente Venezuela, she has faced bans, intimidation, and arrests of her allies for challenging President Nicolás Maduro’s rule.
Her recognition comes as Venezuela endures political gridlock, economic collapse, and mass emigration. The government has been accused by the United Nations and rights groups of undermining free elections and silencing dissent.
This year’s Nobel decision drew attention for its timing, coinciding with renewed global debates over democratic resilience and peace leadership. US President Donald Trump had publicly claimed he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, but analysts had predicted he would not be chosen.
Experts view Maria Corina Machado’s selection as a clear signal that the Nobel Committee wanted to highlight the defense of democracy in authoritarian environments.
“This award is about courage in the face of state power,” said Dr. Lina Holmqvist, a political scientist at the University of Oslo. “Machado embodies the peaceful resistance the Nobel Committee wants to encourage globally.”
Carlos Guzmán, a Latin America analyst at Georgetown University, said the decision could heighten tensions with Caracas. “It’s a moral victory for Venezuelans, but the regime will see it as foreign meddling,” he said.
Venezuela’s crisis has displaced more than seven million people since 2015, according to the UN Refugee Agency a migration wave rivaling those from war torn regions.
The Nobel Peace Prize has often recognized activists opposing authoritarian governments. Past laureates include Iran’s Narges Mohammadi (2023) and Belarus’s Ales Bialiatski (2022).
“The committee continues its pattern of honoring individual courage rather than political institutions,” Holmqvist said. “Machado fits that tradition.”
In Caracas, news of Maria Corina Machado’s win sparked quiet celebrations among opposition supporters.
“This award belongs to all Venezuelans who never stopped believing,” said Sofia Rojas, a 29-year-old student. “It reminds the world that our struggle is peaceful but persistent.”
Not everyone was optimistic. “It’s good recognition, but the government still controls everything,” said Luis Hernández, a retired teacher. “We need real change, not just awards.”
State media briefly mentioned the prize, calling it “a political move by Western institutions.”
Analysts say the award could renew international pressure on the Maduro government and inspire Venezuela’s opposition to continue pursuing nonviolent reform.
“The Nobel Prize won’t topple the regime, but it strengthens moral support for the movement,” Guzmán said.
In a statement, Maria Corina Machado said she accepted the award “on behalf of all Venezuelans who fight for freedom through peace.” This is not my victory,” she added. “It is Venezuela’s voice being heard.
Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize highlights global recognition of Venezuela’s pro democracy struggle. While the award underscores her courage and the resilience of civil society, the country’s political future remains uncertain.
As the ceremony approaches, her win serves as a reminder that peace often begins with those who dare to stand firm against oppression.