Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his efforts towards peace and democracy. Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader, was awarded the 2025 prize for her campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's 12-year rule, viewed by many as illegitimate. She told the BBC that Trump's actions, not just in the Americas but globally, are appreciated by the Venezuelan people. Trump has been vocal about wanting to win the Nobel Peace Prize himself, claiming to have ended seven wars. The White House responded to Machado's award by stating that the Nobel Committee prioritizes politics over peace. Machado emphasized the need for the international community to cut off illicit activities sustaining the Maduro regime, such as drug trafficking and gold smuggling, to bring about its downfall.

Maria Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela's pro-democracy movement, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to keep 'the flame of democracy burning amidst a growing darkness.' Machado, known as Venezuela's 'Iron Lady,' has been in hiding due to threats from the authoritarian government led by President Nicolas Maduro. She expressed that the award is a message to Venezuelans that 'we are not alone' and that the world recognizes their struggle for democracy. Machado has been a key figure in challenging Maduro's regime and has led a massive political movement for over two decades.

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her fight against the dictatorship in Caracas. The Norwegian committee praised Machado's efforts despite the challenges she faces in her country. The award comes as President Nicolás Maduro remains in power following a disputed election in July 2024. An independent review by The Washington Post suggested that Machado's ally, Edmundo González, won twice as many votes as Maduro.