Machado Wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

On October 10, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the winner of the 2025 Peace Prize. The prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader, politician, and symbol of the struggle for democracy, María Corina Machado. This highest honor was bestowed upon her for her decades-long peaceful and uncompromising struggle for democracy, human rights, and against authoritarianism in Venezuela, embodying the hope for a democratic future amidst political turmoil.

Who is María Corina Machado

Born on October 7, 1967, María Corina Machado Parisca is an industrial engineer by profession, but she has dedicated her life to politics, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the fight against the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro. In 2013, she founded the liberal political party "Vente Venezuela" ("Come, Venezuela"), which advocates for freedom and democratic reforms, and today she is the party's national coordinator.

Machado's political career has been marked by principle and courage. She has consistently rejected the possibility of making any deal with the dictatorial regime, insisting that Venezuela's future can only be built through free and fair elections. This unwavering stance brought her wide public support. In 2023, she won a landslide victory in the Venezuelan opposition's primary elections, receiving over 90% of the vote and becoming the opposition's unified candidate to challenge Maduro in the 2024 presidential elections. However, in response to her growing popularity, the ruling regime unlawfully banned her from participating in the elections.

Strong International Support and the Nobel Prize

Although the names of Nobel Prize candidates are officially kept secret for 50 years, Machado's nomination process received wide public attention. Her candidacy was officially nominated by a group of academic leaders, in accordance with the rules of the Nobel Foundation. This initiative, announced in August 2024, was led by Marcel Felipe, president of the "Inspira América" foundation, in conjunction with the presidents of four prestigious universities in South Florida. They were: Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College; Kenneth A. Jessell, president of Florida International University; David A. Armstrong, president of St. Thomas University; and Mike Allen, president of Barry University.

These academic figures had emphasized Machado's exceptional contribution to the cause of peace, democracy, and the protection of human rights.

In addition to academic circles, Machado's candidacy had also received the support of a number of influential US lawmakers. They had sent official letters to the Nobel Committee, confirming their support. This support from US lawmakers is in line with the US administration's position on defending democratic values in Latin America. The problem is that it is not yet clear whether in Trump's case, the desire to defend democratic values was greater, or the desire to personally receive the Nobel Peace Prize.