María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader in Venezuela, won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday morning (10 October), recognized for her relentless advocacy for democracy and human rights, beating US President Donald Trump.
This Venezuelan woman, Machado, has tirelessly campaigned for the restoration of constitutional rule and democracy for the people and is a central figure in the struggle against the Nicolás Maduro government.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, praised Machado when announcing the prestigious award, saying he was “a key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided, an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government.”
“In the past year, Miss Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” he said.
President Trump’s Nobel Campaign
Although Trump did not receive the Nobel Prize, he had previously publicly campaigned for the award, citing his role in helping to end several global conflicts.
Speculation of his victory was heightened around the world earlier this week after his peace plan for Gaza, which brought a ceasefire to the two-year war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was approved. The first phase of the ceasefire went into effect immediately after the Nobel Prize was announced.
Asked about lobbying for and by US President Trump, Frydnes said: “I think this committee has seen any type of campaign, media attention. We receive thousands and thousands of letters every year from people wanting to say what for them leads to peace. This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates, and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. So we base only our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.”
Venezuela’s ‘Iron Lady’ María Corina Machado
Machado, 58, dubbed Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” may surprise you to know that she is an industrial engineer by profession. She was elected as a deputy to the National Assembly in 2010 with the highest number of votes and was ousted from her position in 2014 for political reasons.
Machado was blocked by state authorities from running in the presidential election held in July last year, faced legal bans, and went into hiding amid threats and persecution.
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In the tense months leading up to the presidential election, the Maduro government targeted both real and perceived opponents with a massive crackdown on dissent. Machado, the leader of the Vente Venezuela party, was set to challenge him in the election, but electoral authorities, allied with the ruling party, disqualified him from running.
This article includes reporting from Newsweek.