Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado

Photo: REUTERS, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

The Norwegian Nobel Committee named Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado a laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 10, Reuters reported. The committee acknowledged Machado’s dedication to advancing democratic rights and her fight to bring about a democratic transition in her country.

According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Machado stood up for free and fair elections more than 20 years ago as a founder of Súmate, an organization devoted to democratic development. Notably, ahead of the 2024 election, Machado was the opposition’s presidential candidate, but her candidacy was blocked. So she backed another opposition representative from another party, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, inspiring numerous people to volunteer to oversee the election so that it could not be falsified.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed he deserved the prize, citing his role in negotiating international agreements and the recent Gaza ceasefire, triggering concerns among Norwegian officials preparing for potential diplomatic tensions if Trump was not chosen.

In early September, Kursiv.media covered the potential candidates for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.