Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, beating several high-profile contenders, including former United States President Donald Trump.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Machado was selected for her unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and peaceful political reform in Venezuela, despite years of persecution and intimidation from the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
According to the committee, her courage and leadership in mobilizing Venezuelans for free and fair elections exemplify the spirit of peaceful resistance and democratic change that the prize seeks to honor.
Machado, a former lawmaker and long-time critic of the Maduro administration, dedicated the award to the “brave people of Venezuela,” saying it symbolizes hope for a nation striving to reclaim freedom and dignity.
The announcement sparked mixed reactions globally. While world leaders and human rights advocates praised the decision, Trump supporters expressed disappointment after the former U.S. president was overlooked for his claimed peace efforts in the Middle East and Korea.
Analysts say Machado’s recognition will boost international attention on Venezuela’s political crisis and the need for renewed global pressure for democratic transition.
