Nobel Peace Prize Winner Is Not Trump
Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy activist María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to promoting democratic rights and advocating for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in her home country.
The Nobel Committee praised Machado’s «tireless work in advancing the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and her struggle for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.»
A long-time critic of President Nicolás Maduro, Machado has faced political persecution and violent attacks from government supporters throughout her career. She was nominated for the award last year by the Inspira América Foundation, which recognised her commitment to peace both in Venezuela and globally. Her nomination was also supported by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Born in Caracas on October 7, 1967, Machado served as a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly from 2011 to 2014 and ran for the presidency in 2011 before the opposition backed Henrique Capriles Radonski.
She became one of the leading figures of the 2014 anti-government protests, after which parliament called for criminal proceedings against her. Machado and other opposition politicians were later accused of attempting to overthrow Maduro.
Her international recognition has grown steadily: in 2018, the BBC named her among the world’s most influential women, and in 2025, Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people.
