María Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous defence of democracy and human rights in Venezuela, the Nobel Committee announces

María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of her unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Venezuela — a powerful endorsement of her courage in the face of repression.

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The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Machado’s “relentless pursuit of free and fair elections” and her resilience in the face of mounting threats from the Venezuelan government.

The prize sends a strong message of international solidarity with democracy activists around the world.

Machado, who leads Venezuela’s fractured opposition movement, went into hiding earlier this year after President Nicolás Maduro’s regime intensified its crackdown on dissent.

The government had barred her from running in the 2024 presidential election, prompting condemnation from the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American nations.

Although her current whereabouts remain undisclosed, the Nobel Committee expressed hope that she would be able to attend the award ceremony in Oslo this December.

“We honour not only María Corina Machado but also the spirit of democratic resistance,” said Nobel Committee Chair, Berit Reiss-Andersen.

The announcement has sparked celebration among exiled Venezuelans and human rights groups, who view Machado’s recognition as a beacon of hope in a country where democratic institutions have been systematically eroded.

While María Corina Machado has not yet issued a public statement, her allies have called the honour “deeply moving and historic.”

Her win follows a week of Nobel announcements across disciplines, including science and literature.

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However, this year’s Peace Prize stands out for its clear political message — supporting peaceful resistance in one of the world’s most challenging environments.