On October 10, 2025, the world watched as the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado—a moment that sent ripples far beyond the borders of Venezuela. The decision, celebrated by human rights advocates and international observers, underscored both the hope and the turmoil that have defined Venezuela’s political landscape for more than two decades.
Machado, often called Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” has been at the forefront of her country’s pro-democracy movement, challenging first Hugo Chávez and, more recently, President Nicolás Maduro. Her recognition by the Nobel Committee was not only a personal milestone but also a symbol of the broader struggle for democratic rights in Venezuela. As reported by CBS News, Machado described the award as “the biggest recognition to our people,” emphasizing, “we are not alone. The world recognizes this huge, epic fight.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited Machado’s “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” In an emotional phone call with Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Machado humbly responded, “I hope you understand this is a movement, this is an achievement for a whole society. I am just one person; I certainly do not deserve this. Oh my God.”
Her journey to this moment has been fraught with danger. At 58, Machado has spent the past year living in hiding after Maduro’s regime repeatedly threatened to arrest her. The threats intensified following the 2024 presidential elections, which were widely criticized as fraudulent by international observers. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Machado was even briefly detained after attending an opposition rally in January 2025, only to be released following international pressure.
The Nobel Peace Prize, first awarded in 1901, has long been regarded as the world’s most prestigious recognition of peace efforts. Alfred Nobel’s will called for the prize to honor those who have done “the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” This year, the committee’s choice was hailed by many as a reaffirmation of those ideals. The UN’s human rights office welcomed the decision, with spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stating, “This recognition reflects the clear aspirations of the people of Venezuela for free and fair elections, for civil and political rights and for the rule of law.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these sentiments, congratulating Machado as “a champion of democracy and a voice of unity in her country of Venezuela.” He added, “The tools of democracy are the tools of peace,” highlighting the growing importance of defending democratic norms and human rights globally.
But the story of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was also marked by controversy and disappointment for another high-profile figure: former U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite a spirited campaign by his supporters and several world leaders, Trump was passed over for the prize. According to the Associated Press, Trump received numerous nominations—including from Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney in December 2024 and other international figures—but many came after the February 1, 2025, nomination deadline, rendering them ineligible for this year’s award.
Machado herself, in a gesture that surprised many, dedicated her Nobel win to Trump and the people of Venezuela, praising the former president for his support of her cause. Her campaign manager, Magalli Meda, confirmed that Trump congratulated Machado in a phone call on October 10. Trump, never shy about his ambitions for the Nobel, told reporters at the White House, “The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called me and said, ‘I’m accepting this in honor of you because you really deserved it.’ I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’” he joked, drawing laughter from his advisers. “I think she might have. She was very nice.”
The White House’s reaction to the Nobel Committee’s decision was initially far less jovial. Communications director Steven Cheung accused the committee of “placing politics over peace,” particularly in light of the Gaza ceasefire deal the Trump administration had helped negotiate that very week. Trump himself has often cited his efforts to end conflicts—including what he claims are seven wars—as evidence that he deserved the prize, though many of his assertions are disputed. The Associated Press noted that while a ceasefire was reached in Gaza, the broader plan’s details—such as Hamas’ disarmament and governance of Gaza—remain uncertain. Meanwhile, little progress has been made in the Russia-Ukraine war, a conflict Trump said during his 2024 campaign he could resolve in a day.
Support for Trump’s Nobel ambitions came from several international quarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly backed Trump, reposting the White House’s criticisms of the Nobel Committee and stating, “The Nobel Committee talks about peace. President @realDonaldTrump makes it happen. The facts speak for themselves. President #Trump deserves it.” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko called it “sheer stupidity” for Trump not to receive the prize, while Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the recent Gaza ceasefire and questioned the Nobel Committee’s past decisions.
Back in Venezuela, the stakes remain high. The UN Human Rights Council’s Venezuela Fact-Finding Mission emphasized that Machado’s award “underscores the importance of the fundamental right to political participation and the urgent need to ensure the human rights of those who exercise it.” Reports from OHCHR and other human rights bodies have documented severe restrictions on civic freedoms, including the holding of political opponents incommunicado—a practice condemned as illegal and potentially an international crime. In December 2024, OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Türk highlighted the “disproportionate use of force and violence” during post-electoral protests, which resulted in at least 28 deaths. By July 2025, the Venezuelan National Assembly had declared OHCHR staff persona non grata, effectively barring UN human rights work in the country.
Despite these setbacks, the international community’s response to Machado’s Nobel win has been overwhelmingly positive. OHCHR reaffirmed its commitment to defending the human rights of all Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country. As Al-Kheetan put it, “We remain firmly committed to continue working to defend and protect the human rights of all Venezuelans, whether they are in Venezuela or abroad, and based of course on information and with the victims at the centre of our work.”
For Machado, the Nobel Prize is both protection and a new challenge. Speaking to CBS News, she reflected on the significance of the award: “I think it does give me a lot of protection. But the most important thing is that it highlights, worldwide, the importance of the struggle of Venezuela.” She also took the opportunity to thank Trump “from the bottom of the heart of Venezuelans,” assuring him that her society remains committed to freedom and determined to prevail.
As Venezuela’s “Iron Lady” steps into the global spotlight, the world’s attention is once again fixed on the country’s long, unfinished fight for democracy—and on the leaders, both celebrated and sidelined, who shape its future.