By Prosper Mene
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight against dictatorship, becoming the first Venezuelan and the sixth Latin American to receive the honor.
In a heartfelt dedication, she credited the suffering people of her country and U.S. President Donald Trump for their unwavering support in the battle for democracy.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award in Oslo, praising Machado’s “civilian courage” in a “brutal, authoritarian state” under President Nicolás Maduro. At 58, the former legislator and presidential candidate has unified a fractured opposition, demanding free elections and human rights amid Venezuela’s deepening humanitarian crisis. “This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom,” Machado said in a statement posted on X.
Machado’s win came amid speculation that Trump might receive the prize for brokering a recent Gaza ceasefire and ending global conflicts. The White House criticized the decision as “politics over peace,” but Machado quickly turned the spotlight on Trump. “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” she wrote on X.
Trump reportedly called to congratulate her, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime ally who nominated her last year, reposted her tribute.
Her journey has been marked by peril: disqualified from the 2024 election, Machado has faced threats, exile threats, and crackdowns, yet she rallied massive protests in Caracas. Allies like Rubio hailed her as the “Venezuelan Iron Lady,” while former lawmaker Julio Borges called the award a testament to her moral leadership.
While Venezuela struggles with economic collapse and migration waves, Machado urged global leaders to stand firm: “We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, and the democratic nations of the world.
“The dedication highlights unlikely transatlantic ties, with Trump’s administration imposing sanctions on Maduro and striking suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Despite the praise, it’s unclear if Machado can attend the December 10 ceremony in Oslo due to safety concerns, joining past laureates like Aung San Suu Kyi who were barred.
