Venezuelan opposition leader and pro-democracy advocate Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, earning global recognition for her relentless struggle to restore democracy in Venezuela.
The Nobel Committee praised her for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
It noted that Machado had faced death threats and gone into hiding while challenging the rule of President Nicolas Maduro, who is widely regarded as an authoritarian leader.
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” the Nobel Committee said.
It added that Machado’s decision to remain in Venezuela despite personal danger had inspired millions, describing her as “a key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided.”
“Democracy depends on people who refuse to stay silent, who dare to step forward despite grave risk,” the committee added.
The 58-year-old activist was hailed as “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times.”
Reacting to the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Machado wrote:
“This immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is an impetus 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 nations of the world as our main allies to achieve Freedom and democracy. Venezuela will be free!”
Her candidacy in last year’s Venezuelan presidential election was blocked by the Maduro government, but she went on to support opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
Opposition groups, despite facing threats and violence, deployed hundreds of thousands of volunteers to monitor the polls and record results before the regime could allegedly alter them.
President Maduro, who has ruled since 2013, declared victory for a third term, calling it a “triumph of peace and stability”, though exit polls suggested a clear opposition win.
Machado rejected the results, insisting Gonzalez had won “overwhelmingly.” The UN and Western nations — including the United States and United Kingdom — expressed concern over serious irregularities and a lack of judicial independence.
The Nobel Committee noted that Machado began her activism more than two decades ago, calling for “ballots over bullets” and advocating for judicial independence and human rights.
A video shared by the Nobel Committee captured her emotional reaction when she received the news of her award.
“Oh my God… I have no words,” she said. “I thank you so much, but I hope you understand this is a movement, this is an achievement of a whole society. I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve it.”
It remains uncertain whether Machado will be able to attend the official Nobel ceremony in Norway on December 10 due to her current security situation.
