The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her relentless fight for democracy and peaceful resistance against Venezuela’s authoritarian regime. The decision, revealed at 11:00 AM local time, has sparked global reactions, with some celebrating Machado’s grassroots activism while others, particularly supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, express outrage over the committee’s choice amid his high-profile nominations for brokering international ceasefires.
The committee lauded Machado, 58, for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Her leadership in unifying Venezuela’s opposition, especially during the disputed July 2024 presidential election, was highlighted as a model of non-violent resistance. Machado, who has faced exile threats and attempted arrests, remains in hiding in Venezuela but continues to inspire millions by advocating for free elections and documenting electoral fraud. “She embodies the tools of democracy as tools of peace,” the committee stated, noting her role in resisting militarization and fostering global support for Venezuela’s democratic movement.
Machado’s journey to the Nobel is rooted in decades of activism. An industrial engineer and founder of Vente Venezuela, she gained prominence after her 2010 election to the National Assembly, only to be expelled in 2014 for criticizing Nicolás Maduro’s regime. In 2024, she won the opposition’s presidential primary but was barred from running, prompting her to back Edmundo González, who claimed victory in independent tallies. Her resilience, despite personal risks, earned her the 2024 Sakharov Prize alongside González and a spot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2025. The $1.2 million prize will be presented in Oslo on December 10, 2025.
The announcement comes amid intense speculation around Trump, who was nominated by figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Claudia Tenney, and African leaders for his diplomatic efforts. These include a Gaza ceasefire announced on October 9, 2025, Ukraine-Russia talks, and revived Abraham Accords. Trump’s supporters, including the Israeli Hostages Families Forum and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, praised his role in freeing hostages and mediating conflicts in regions like India-Pakistan and Rwanda-Congo. Trump himself lobbied for the prize, reportedly calling Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg in July 2025 and mocking Barack Obama’s 2009 win as undeserved.
Despite over 338 nominations (244 individuals, 94 organizations), the committee’s choice of Machado reflects its preference for grassroots democratic struggles over state-level diplomacy. Experts suggest Trump’s late nominations (post-January 31 deadline) and the committee’s independent streak made a 2025 win unlikely, though his Gaza and Ukraine efforts could position him for 2026. The decision has ignited controversy, with Trump allies on platforms like X decrying it as a snub, some even alleging bias against his “America First” agenda. Norwegian officials are reportedly bracing for potential diplomatic fallout with the U.S.
Machado, in a brief statement from an undisclosed location, dedicated the award to “the Venezuelan people fighting for freedom.” Her win underscores the Nobel Committee’s focus on democratic backsliding globally, positioning her as a beacon of hope. As reactions pour in, the world watches how this recognition will amplify her fight—and whether Trump’s supporters will escalate their criticism of the Nobel process.