Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has publicly dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to the people of Venezuela and to President Donald Trump, citing their unwavering support in the fight for democracy. In a statement shared on X, Machado called the recognition “a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.”
“We are on the threshold of victory and today,” she wrote, “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 principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy. I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!”
Why It Matters
Machado, an opposition leader in Venezuela, has campaigned tirelessly for democracy and remains a central figure in the struggle against Nicolás Maduro’s government. She defeated several prominent contenders for the award, including Trump, who had openly campaigned for it this year by highlighting his role in helping to end multiple global conflicts.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee lauded Machado for being a “key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided—an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government.”
What To Know
The 58-year-old former legislator and presidential candidate has been the face of the Venezuelan opposition, particularly after being disqualified from the 2024 election by Maduro’s government. Edmundo González, who replaced her on the ballot, celebrated the win from exile in Spain, calling it “a well-deserved recognition of the long struggle of a woman and an entire people for our freedom and democracy”.
Machado has remained in hiding since January, after publishing electoral records that opposition groups say demonstrated her victory in the July 2024 election. The Venezuelan government, dominated by Maduro loyalists, rejected those results and declared Maduro the winner in a vote widely condemned by international observers. No credible evidence was presented to support Maduro’s declared victory.
In the aftermath, protests erupted across the country and were met with deadly force. More than 20 people were killed in demonstrations, and hundreds were arrested. Dozens of Machado’s campaign allies sought refuge at diplomatic compounds, with many later fleeing the country. Human rights organization Foro Penal reports that more than 800 political prisoners remain behind bars, including Machado’s son-in-law Rafael Tudares.
In a letter shared Friday from Caracas, Machado wrote, “Venezuelans have suffered 26 years of violence and humiliation at the hands of a tyranny obsessed with subjugating citizens and breaking the soul of the nation. The machinery of oppression has been brutal and systematic, characterized by detentions, torture, forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions.”
Despite the risks, Machado has remained in the country. The Nobel Committee cited her decision not to leave as a major factor in awarding her the Peace Prize. “When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” Frydnes said.
Mixed Reactions from the U.S. on Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize
Trump responded to the news by congratulating Machado in a phone call. According to White House communications director Steven Cheung, the two leaders discussed shared goals for restoring democratic institutions in Venezuela. Cheung also criticized the Nobel Committee for not recognizing Trump directly, saying its decision “proved they place politics over peace.”
Trump and several of his allies had touted his efforts in brokering recent ceasefires, particularly in the Middle East, as a reason for him to win the prize. He was formally nominated earlier this year by Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, following his announcement of a U.S.-brokered peace framework between Israel and Hamas.
The Nobel Committee, however, emphasized that its decisions are grounded in Alfred Nobel’s will and the demonstrable work of nominees. “This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates, and that room is filled with both courage and integrity,” Frydnes said.
What People Are Saying
María Elvira Salazar, U.S. congresswoman, said on X: “Today the world pays tribute to a woman who embodies the spirit of freedom of an entire continent. María Corina Machado is the Simón Bolívar of our time. Her courage and unwavering faith in democracy inspire millions of Venezuelans—and all of us who believe in freedom—to never give up. The Nobel Peace Prize recognizes her struggle, but the true victory will be seeing a free Venezuela.”
Julio Borges, former Venezuelan lawmaker, said on X: “This Nobel Peace Prize for María Corina Machado is also a recognition of her moral leadership, which stands as a testament to the struggle of the Venezuelan people. History has shown that it is the strength of moral leadership that ultimately defeats a totalitarian dictatorship.”
The Elders, an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela to promote peace, justice, and human rights, said on X: “We congratulate María Corina Machado for winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. This is a testament to her courage and perseverance in fighting for peace and democracy in Venezuela. We reiterate our condemnation of the widespread repression and human rights violations in the country and urge all parties to take steps toward an inclusive national dialogue.”
What Happens Next
With the Nobel Peace Prize now awarded to María Corina Machado, President Trump’s prospects for receiving the honor this year are effectively closed. Trump or his allies could still submit a nomination for the 2026 prize, but it would again be subject to the same independent review.
