Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy activist María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, a momentous recognition for her decades-long fight to restore democracy in a nation ravaged by authoritarianism. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, praising 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.”

The Committee’s statement emphasized that her recognition extended beyond Venezuela’s borders, highlighting the global struggle to defend democracy.

“Ms. Machado is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize first and foremost for her efforts to advance democracy in Venezuela,” the Committee said. “But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, to cast one’s vote and to be represented in elective government – is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.”

Who Is María Corina Machado?

A name synonymous with courage, conviction, and the relentless pursuit of freedom, María Corina Machado has long stood at the forefront of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement.

Born and raised in Caracas, Machado initially pursued a career far from politics. She studied engineering and finance, and in 1992, she launched the Atenea Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children in the Venezuelan capital.

But her calling soon shifted toward the nation’s political future. In 2002, Machado co-founded Súmate, a non-governmental organization advocating for free and fair elections through civic training and election monitoring. Her efforts gained international attention, especially in a country where dissent was increasingly met with repression.

Her popularity soared when she won a record number of votes in the 2010 National Assembly elections. However, in 2014, the Maduro regime expelled her from office after she denounced human rights violations before the Organization of American States (OAS).

Despite years of political persecution, harassment, and multiple charges of treason and conspiracy, Machado remained undeterred. She currently leads the opposition party Vente Venezuela, and in 2017, she co-founded the Soy Venezuela alliance, uniting pro-democracy groups across the political spectrum.

Machado’s Political Struggle

María Corina Machado’s political career has been defined by resilience in the face of oppression. In 2023, she announced her presidential candidacy, vowing to challenge Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule. However, Venezuela’s electoral authorities barred her from running, citing fabricated charges and “administrative disqualifications.” Refusing to abandon the democratic cause, she threw her support behind Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition’s alternative candidate.

Her expulsion from parliament in 2014 was only one episode in a long series of repressive acts. Over the years, Machado has endured travel bans, political disqualifications, and constant threats, all aimed at silencing her voice. Yet, her message of peaceful resistance and democratic renewal has only grown stronger — both within Venezuela and abroad.

Machado Dedicates the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuela — and Donald Trump

In an emotional statement following the announcement, María Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize win to both the suffering people of Venezuela and to U.S. President Donald Trump, who she credited as a steadfast ally of her cause.

“This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom,” Machado wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Expressing gratitude to her international supporters, she continued:

“We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy.”

In another heartfelt post, she reaffirmed her dedication:

“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!”

Her statement resonated with millions of Venezuelans who view the award as a symbol of global recognition for their country’s struggle against tyranny. However, it also stirred controversy — particularly over her decision to publicly honor Donald Trump, who himself has had a contentious relationship with the Nobel Prize in the past.

BREAKING NEWS
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize to Maria Corina 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… pic.twitter.com/Zgth8KNJk9— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 10, 2025

The Nobel Committee’s Statement: A Global Defense of Democracy

Announcing the decision, the Norwegian Nobel Committee described Machado as a “brave and committed champion of peace” who “keeps the flame of democracy burning during a growing darkness.”

The Committee’s citation underscored the rising threats to democratic governance worldwide, saying:

“The Venezuelan regime’s rigid hold on power and its repression of the population are not unique in the world. We see the same trends globally: rule of law abused by those in control, free media silenced, critics imprisoned, and societies pushed towards authoritarian rule and militarisation.”

It further noted the paradox of modern politics:

“In 2024, more elections were held than ever before, but fewer and fewer are free and fair.”

In highlighting Machado’s contributions, the Committee made a profound observation:

“Peace laureate María Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace. She embodies the hope of a different future, one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected, and their voices are heard.”

According to the Committee, Machado met all three of Alfred Nobel’s criteria for the Peace Prize: advancing fraternity among nations, reducing standing armies (metaphorically in her case, through nonviolent resistance), and promoting peace congresses and dialogue.

This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.

We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic…— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025

Donald Trump Reacts: “She Accepted It in My Honor”

While many expected Machado’s Nobel win to unite world leaders in praise, the U.S. political response took an unusual turn. President Donald Trump, who has long sought the Peace Prize himself, reacted to the news by claiming that Machado had called him personally to express her gratitude.

“The person who got the Nobel Prize called me today and said, ‘I am accepting this in honour of you because you really deserved it,’” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I didn’t say, ‘Give it to me,’ though. I think she might have… I’ve been helping her along the way. They needed a lot of help in Venezuela during the disaster. I am happy because I saved millions of lives.”

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he should receive the Nobel for his role in global peace negotiations, went further:

“I said, ‘Well, what about the seven others? I should get a Nobel Prize for each one.’ So they said, ‘but if you stop Russia and Ukraine, sir, you should be able to get the Nobel.’ I said I stopped seven wars. That’s one war, and that’s a big one.”

He then listed conflicts he claimed to have de-escalated during his presidency, including “Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Serbia, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Congo.”

White House and Global Reactions

The White House issued a statement after the announcement, sharply criticizing the Nobel Committee’s decision. Officials argued that the Committee had chosen “politics over peace.” Nonetheless, Trump’s team used the moment to reaffirm his “humanitarian” legacy.

“He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will,” said White House spokesperson Steven Cheung in a post on X. “He will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, echoed similar sentiments.

“Give @realDonaldTrump the Nobel Peace Prize – he deserves it!” Netanyahu wrote on X, reigniting the debate over Trump’s global diplomacy record.

#WATCH | US President Donald J Trump says, "The person who got the Nobel Prize called me today and said, 'I'm accepting this in honour of you because you really deserved it'... I didn't say, 'Give it to me', though. I think she might have... I've been helping her along the… pic.twitter.com/XY1HH1OG5x— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2025

Machado’s Call to Action: Freedom as the Ultimate Goal

Despite the international swirl of politics surrounding her award, María Corina Machado has maintained focus on her core message — that freedom and democracy remain non-negotiable.

Her Nobel acceptance, she said, is not a personal triumph but a collective victory for the Venezuelan people, who continue to suffer under the economic collapse and political repression of Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

“This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom,” she reiterated, vowing to continue her peaceful resistance movement.

Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize thus stands as a symbol of hope — not only for Venezuela, but for all nations fighting against the encroachment of authoritarianism.

A Symbol of Defiance and Hope

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has become one of the most politically charged awards in recent memory. Yet, beyond the noise, María Corina Machado’s achievement represents something timeless: the endurance of the human spirit in the face of oppression.

Her story — from an engineer working with underprivileged children to a Nobel laureate challenging one of the world’s most entrenched dictatorships — reflects a universal truth: peace and democracy are inseparable.

In the words of the Nobel Committee, “Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace.” And through her courage, perseverance, and belief in the power of peaceful change, María Corina Machado has shown that the fight for democracy is, indeed, the fight for peace.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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