Maria Corina Machado Wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for Upholding Democracy in Venezuela

New Delhi: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognised globally for her unwavering fight for democracy and peaceful resistance against authoritarian rule in her country. The announcement, made by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday, described her as “a brave and committed champion of peace” who has kept “the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

The committee said Machado’s leadership has been instrumental in uniting Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, showing that “the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace.” Her long-standing commitment to democratic rights and her courage in confronting dictatorship have made her a symbol of hope for millions seeking freedom and justice.

In its official statement, the Committee noted,

“Maria Corina Machado is honoured for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

Machado’s recognition comes after years of political persecution and personal risk in a country where opposition voices have often been silenced. Her resilience and determination to pursue non-violent reform have earned her global admiration.

The 2025 Peace Prize was one of the most closely watched in recent years, with former US President Donald Trump among the prominent contenders. Several countries — including Israel, Russia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Thailand, Armenia, and Cambodia — were said to have nominated him, crediting him with mediating multiple international conflicts. Despite his aggressive campaign for the award, the Nobel Committee’s choice signalled its continued emphasis on grassroots movements and moral leadership over political stature.

This year, the Nobel Peace Prize received 338 nominations, comprising 244 individuals and 94 organisations — reflecting a broad spectrum of global efforts toward peace and justice.

Since its inception in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been conferred 105 times, honouring 139 laureates, including 92 men, 19 women, and 28 organisations. The youngest recipient remains Malala Yousafzai, who won at age 17 in 2014, while Joseph Rotblat holds the record as the oldest laureate at 86 in 1995.

Last year, the honour went to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation representing atomic bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, recognised for its decades-long campaign against nuclear weapons.

With this year’s announcement, Maria Corina Machado’s name joins the legacy of global peace champions, her victory standing as a powerful reminder that courage and conviction can uphold the ideals of democracy even in the darkest of times.