On October 24, 2025, the world turned its attention to Venezuela as María Corina Machado, a steadfast opposition leader, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her unyielding campaign against President Nicolás Maduro Moros and her advocacy for democratic rights. The Nobel Committee, as reported by The Economic Times, praised Machado for her “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.” This recognition arrives at a pivotal moment, as Venezuela stands on the brink of what Machado describes as a long-awaited transformation.
In a series of interviews with major international outlets, including Times Now and Devdiscourse, Machado reflected on the significance of the Nobel Prize, the arduous journey of her people, and the international alliances she believes are crucial for Venezuela’s future. “Of course, it was an absolute surprise,” Machado admitted, still processing the personal and national implications of such a high honor. She emphasized that the award is not just hers. “This is a prize for the Venezuelan people, not only for myself. This award honours the courage, resilience, strength and love that Venezuelan society has demonstrated while fighting for so many years,” she told Times Network.
For over two decades, Machado has been at the forefront of Venezuela’s struggle against what she calls a “terrible tyranny”—a regime she accuses of committing crimes against humanity and bringing ruin to a nation once counted among the wealthiest in the Western Hemisphere. Born in Venezuela in 1967, Machado has witnessed and endured the country’s dramatic decline. “We are determined to have the sovereign will of our population respected, and that is going to happen very soon,” she said, exuding both hope and determination.
Machado’s faith in imminent change is palpable. In an exclusive conversation with Times Now Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar, she was asked whether Venezuela was truly on the cusp of transformation. “After 26 years of fighting and building a movement, I believe the moment today is very, very close,” Machado replied. She was candid about the uncertainty inherent in such struggles, noting, “That’s not patience, but it gives you serenity and helps you understand there are things that are under our control, and we need to work hard on them. And there are other processes that are evolving and require some time.”
Despite the challenges, Machado has never seen her country so united. “I’ve never seen Venezuelan society, as I said, not only cohesive, united, and hopeful, but as organised as we are today. I’ve never seen the regime so desperate, acting with contradictions, more violent than ever but at the same time, that pulls them further and further into downfall. And I’ve never seen the international community as close and as conscious of the importance of a Venezuelan transition to democracy,” she shared with Times Now.
International support is a recurring theme in Machado’s vision for Venezuela’s future. She has repeatedly highlighted the role of the United States, particularly President Donald Trump, as a key ally. In her interview with Times Network, Machado stated, “Our main ally at this moment is President Trump, so it is indeed a matter of fairness. I do believe that all around the world we are seeing the results of a strategy to achieve peace through strength. We Venezuelans have learned at a very high cost and with great pain.” She even dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, underlining the importance of his support in Venezuela’s ongoing quest for democracy.
But Machado’s gaze extends far beyond the Americas. She has expressed deep admiration for India, describing it as a beacon of democracy and a potential partner in Venezuela’s transition. “We can have in India a great ally, a great democracy in Asia, to speak out for the rights of the Venezuelan people. We know we can count on the Indian people for a peaceful transition to democracy and freedom in Venezuela,” Machado declared in her interview with Times Now. She added, “From our perspective and from Venezuela, I want to think that we can have in India, a great ally, not only for this stage in which we need your voices, as a great democracy in Asia, to speak out for the rights of the Venezuelan people.”
Machado’s outreach to India is not merely rhetorical. She hopes for greater opportunities for Indian investment in Venezuela once the country completes its democratic transition. “Once the country transitions, we seek greater opportunities for India to invest in Venezuela in various sectors,” she told The Economic Times. She also expressed a desire to one day welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a free Venezuela, highlighting her vision for deepened ties between the two nations.
Throughout her public appearances, Machado has underscored the spiritual dimension of Venezuela’s struggle. “This is, in the end, for us, much more than a political struggle. This is a spiritual struggle for the good. And that’s why we will prevail,” she told Times Now. She called on the international community—and especially Indian society—to trust in the Venezuelan people. “Venezuelans are good people, hardworking, family-loving, with strong faith,” she said, emphasizing the resolve and unity that have grown out of hardship.
The Nobel Committee’s recognition has injected new momentum into Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. Machado believes that the world is finally taking notice of her country’s plight and the resilience of its citizens. “The fact that the international community and the Nobel Committee recognised this struggle is absolutely huge and it is going to be a very significant boost for the final stage that we are in, right now, moving into a peaceful and orderly transition,” she told The Economic Times.
Still, the journey is far from over. Machado remains realistic about the dangers and the slow pace of change. Living in hiding, she continues to lead what she describes as a “movement of citizens” who want nothing more than peace and the return of their children to their homeland. “We don’t want war (with a government), we want to live in peace and freedom,” she affirmed.
As Venezuela stands at a crossroads, the world watches closely. Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize is not just a personal accolade—it’s a rallying cry for a nation yearning for democracy, and a signal to the international community that the time for meaningful support is now. The next chapter in Venezuela’s story remains unwritten, but for the first time in years, hope feels within reach.