Nobel Committee Honors Machado for Her Fight for Democracy
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado, recognizing her leadership in advancing democratic rights and peaceful reform in Venezuela.
Machado, 58, has long been a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement against President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The committee praised her for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and for helping unify Venezuela’s divided opposition around the demand for free and representative elections.
Machado remains in hiding inside Venezuela following repeated threats to her safety. The committee described her as one of Latin America’s most courageous civilian leaders, highlighting her commitment to nonviolent resistance and democratic transition.
Machado’s Reaction and Global Support
In a statement posted to social media, Machado called the honor “an immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans.” She added that the award symbolizes the global fight for freedom and expressed gratitude toward international allies supporting Venezuela’s democratic movement.
“We are on the threshold of victory,” Machado said, calling for solidarity from the United States, Latin American nations, and other democratic allies “to achieve freedom and democracy.”
Background: Venezuela’s Disputed Election
Machado was barred by Venezuela’s courts from running in the 2024 presidential election, despite being the leading opposition candidate. After her disqualification, she endorsed Edmundo González Urrutia as the opposition’s unified candidate.
Maduro claimed victory with 51% of the vote, though opposition figures alleged widespread fraud, citing independent tallies showing González as the real winner. Following the disputed results, nationwide protests erupted, leading to violent crackdowns by security forces and the arrests of opposition leaders.
International organizations, including the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), congratulated Machado, saying the award “reflects the aspirations of the Venezuelan people for free and fair elections and the rule of law.”
The Nobel Committee’s Statement
Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes commended Machado’s decision to remain in Venezuela despite threats and persecution, saying her courage “has inspired millions.”
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” Frydnes said during the ceremony in Oslo.
The Nobel Peace Prize, valued at about $1.2 million, will be presented on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
A Legacy of Peaceful Resistance
The committee noted that the Nobel Peace Prize has historically recognized those who embody the spirit of nonviolent resistance. Previous laureates include Narges Mohammadi (2023), Denis Mukwege (2018), and Malala Yousafzai (2014).
The 2024 prize went to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, for its work promoting nuclear disarmament.
Related Coverage
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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