Stockholm, Sweden: Venezuelan opposition leader and human rights advocate Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for what the Nobel Committee described as her “courageous and inspiring struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Announcing the award in Stockholm, the committee praised Machado’s leadership and determination, saying her commitment to democratic principles and human dignity “stands as a beacon of hope for all those striving for freedom and justice worldwide.”
Maria Corina Machado has spent more than two decades campaigning for democracy, women’s rights, and the protection of civil liberties in Venezuela. She has been a prominent voice against authoritarianism, calling for transparent governance and free elections in her country.
Her activism, often carried out under the threat of persecution, has earned her both domestic admiration and international recognition.
Following the announcement, world leaders and human rights organizations congratulated Machado. The UN Secretary-General called the award “a tribute not only to Maria Corina Machado, but to all those who continue to fight peacefully for justice and human rights around the world.”
The Nobel Peace Prize includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award, which this year amounts to 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1 million USD).
