Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has received this year's Nobel Peace Prize. She receives the award for her "tireless work in defense of the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people", said the chairman of the Nobel Committee, Jørgen Vatne Fridnes.
Machado is a staunch opponent of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. "As a leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, Machado is one of the most impressive examples of civic courage" in the recent history of Latin America, the committee said in a statement. She is a "key figure in the once deeply divided opposition" that has reunited in its demand for free elections.
"At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to preserve this unity", the Nobel committee said. "When authoritarian regimes seize power, it is crucial to recognize the importance of courageous defenders of freedom."
Venezuela's opposition voice
Last year, Maria Corina Machado was nominated as the candidate of the opposition "Platform for Democratic Unity" in the presidential elections in Venezuela, but was then excluded by the government-friendly National Electoral Council. Diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez ran in her place. Although international observers said he won the most votes, Venezuela's Central Electoral Commission declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election. Authoritarian leader Maduro has ruled Venezuela since 2013.
In December, Machado and Gonzalez were awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Human Rights. Gonzalez fled to Spain shortly before that after an arrest warrant was issued for him. Last year, Machado also received the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize.
Regime does not recognize election results
In announcing its decision, the Nobel Committee expressed concern about developments in Venezuela. It said it had transformed from a "relatively democratic and prosperous country into a brutal, authoritarian state." The declaration also highlighted the "clear victory of the opposition" in the last elections.
"However, the regime refused to recognize the results of the elections and remained in power", the Nobel Committee also emphasized, adding that Machado has been fighting for free and fair elections for 20 years - since the founding of Súmate, an organization for democratic development. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the fight for the freedom of the Venezuelan people.
338 nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world. This year, 338 candidates were nominated for it, and the deadline for nominations expired at the end of January. The prize in 2025 is worth 11 million kronor, which is equivalent to about one million euros.
Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Japanese organization "Nihon Hidankyo". The organization of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was honored for its fight for a world without nuclear weapons.
Washington is not happy
On Friday, the White House criticized the Nobel Committee's decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to a Venezuelan opposition leader rather than U.S. President Donald Trump. "The Nobel Committee has proven that it puts politics before peace," said White House spokesman Stephen Chung.
"President Trump will continue to make peace agreements, end wars, and save lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and
there will never be another like him, who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will," Chung said in an article in X.