Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her steadfast efforts to promote democratic rights and her courageous struggle for a peaceful transition to democracy in her homeland, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday.
The committee praised Machado for her “unyielding commitment to democratic values and human rights in the face of persecution,” calling her “a symbol of courage and hope for millions of Venezuelans who aspire to freedom and justice.”
Born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, Machado, now 58, comes from an upper-class background. An industrial engineer by training, she is the daughter of a well-known businessman who played a major role in Venezuela’s steel industry. Her privileged upbringing has often been used against her by the country’s socialist government, which has portrayed her as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
Despite this criticism, Machado has spent years at the forefront of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. She gained national prominence after winning a landslide victory in the opposition’s primary election in 2023, rallying tens of thousands of supporters across the country. However, she was barred from public office ahead of the 2024 presidential election, preventing her from challenging President Nicolas Maduro directly.
When Maduro claimed victory in the disputed election — results that have never been fully published — Machado was forced into hiding. She briefly emerged during a protest ahead of Maduro’s January inauguration, where she was arrested and later released.
Throughout her career, Machado has advocated liberal economic reforms aimed at rebuilding Venezuela’s shattered economy. She has called for the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, including the oil giant PDVSA, while also supporting social welfare programs to assist the nation’s poorest citizens.
Her activism has come at a steep personal cost. Most of her senior advisers have been detained or forced into exile, and Machado herself has described the Maduro administration as a “criminal mafia”.
Despite facing relentless persecution, she continues to champion her movement as a collective struggle rather than a personal quest for power. Those close to her describe Machado as deeply committed to unity and national healing, even as critics — including her own mother — have accused her of being egotistical.
The Nobel Committee’s decision to honor Machado comes at a time when Venezuela remains mired in economic collapse, political repression, and mass migration, with millions of citizens fleeing the country over the past decade.
In its statement, the committee said Machado’s work “embodies the spirit of peaceful resistance and democratic renewal,” adding that her courage “serves as a reminder that the pursuit of freedom often demands immense personal sacrifice.”
The award places Maria Corina Machado among a distinguished group of global figures recognized for advancing peace and human rights — and reinforces international attention on Venezuela’s ongoing struggle for democracy.
