Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado wins the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize 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.” The announcement was made on Friday in Oslo by Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, marking one of the main events of this year’s Nobel Week.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which includes Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Asle Toje, Anne Enger, Kristin Clemet, and Gry Larsen, chose Machado from among 338 nominations, which consisted of 244 individuals and 94 organisations. The decision was finalised earlier this week, with Frydnes confirming that any recent peace developments, including those in the Middle East, would only be considered for next year’s prize.

In the official statement, the committee praised Machado as 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.” Frydnes said that despite serious threats to her safety, Machado chose to stay in Venezuela, continuing her campaign for democracy while living in hiding. He added, “When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.”

Machado, a former presidential candidate and a long-time democracy activist, became the 20th woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, joining 112 individuals who have been honoured since the award began. Her selection was seen around the world as a strong message in support of freedom and political change in Latin America. The German government welcomed the decision, saying that the Nobel Committee was “honouring her courageous and long-standing commitment to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Venezuela.”

However, the White House reacted strongly to the announcement, accusing the Nobel Committee of prioritising politics over peace. A spokesperson said, “Once again, the Nobel Committee has proved they place politics over peace.” Later, the White House Director of Communications wrote on X, “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”

The announcement came after months of global attention on US President Donald Trump, who had openly campaigned for the award. He claimed to have helped resolve multiple international conflicts and said, “I don’t know what they’re going to do, really, but I know this: that nobody in history has solved eight wars in a period of nine months, and I’ve stopped eight wars. So that’s never happened before, but they’ll have to do what they do. Whatever they do is fine. I know this: I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”

Despite this, experts said Trump’s chances were very low, pointing to his divisive political approach and actions that did not align with the ideals of the Nobel Peace Prize. The committee confirmed that the decision to award Machado was made before the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and that the Middle East peace efforts would be reviewed for the 2026 prize instead.

The Nobel Peace Prize carries a value of 11 million Swedish crowns, which is around 1.2 million dollars, and will be officially presented to Maria Corina Machado on December 10 in Oslo, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Machado’s win has been widely described as a victory for democratic courage. Her decision to remain in Venezuela despite constant threats has inspired millions across her country and beyond. As Jørgen Watne Frydnes said, “When fear silences many, her voice reminds the world that peace is inseparable from freedom.”