OSLO, Oct. 10 — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her unwavering struggle to restore democracy and uphold human rights in Venezuela through peaceful means.
Announcing the award in Oslo, Jørgen Watne Frydnes , Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee , hailed Machado as "one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times."
“As the leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, María Corina Machado is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work in promoting democratic rights for the Venezuelan people and for leading a peaceful struggle to achieve a just transition from dictatorship to democracy,” Frydnes said.
The committee praised Machado as “a champion of peace who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness,” underscoring her steadfast commitment to non-violent resistance and political reform.
During the announcement, Frydnes recalled one of Machado’s most notable statements: “It was a choice of ballots over bullets.” He noted that for more than two decades, she has advocated for free and fair elections, judicial independence, and popular representation—both as a political leader and through her work with civic organisations.
“She has brought her country’s opposition together, consistently resisted the militarisation of Venezuelan society, and remained unwavering in her pursuit of a peaceful transition to democracy,” Frydnes added.
The Nobel Peace Prize, established in 1895 through the will of Alfred Nobel, is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are presented by Swedish institutions. Nobel himself had specifically directed that Norway handle the Peace Prize, recognising its historical commitment to diplomacy and peace efforts.
Frydnes noted that Machado’s actions fully embody the principles set out in Nobel’s will. “María Corina Machado meets all three criteria envisioned by Alfred Nobel for a Peace Prize laureate,” he said.
Last year, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, for its lifelong advocacy toward a world free of nuclear weapons.
Machado’s recognition marks a significant moment in Latin American history, symbolising international support for Venezuela’s ongoing quest for democratic renewal.
This year's Nobel Peace Prize announcement will surely disappoint US President Trump. He has been shouting for his nomination and boasting that he has ended 7 wars. Although Trump has repeatedly claimed that he ended the India-Pakistan war, India has rejected it and suggested Pakistan for the Nobel Prize. The truth is that the Nobel Prize has been lost after the award committee rejected Trump's claims, as the period up to January 2025 is the main evaluation period, even though Israel was also nominated.
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