In a landmark decision, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless campaign to restore democracy in a nation gripped by authoritarianism.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, announcing the honor in Oslo, praised Machado for her “unyielding faith in the power of people’s voices against repression.” The prize includes 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately USD 1.17 million), a gold medal, and a diploma.

Committee president Jorgen Watne Frydnes described the award as a tribute to “courage and integrity,” recognizing individuals who defend freedom and justice, often at great personal risk.

Machado, a long-time critic of President Nicolás Maduro’s regime, has faced political persecution, threats, and disqualification from elections. Her recognition places her alongside global figures of peaceful defiance such as Nelson Mandela, Liu Xiaobo, and Malala Yousafzai.

This year’s Nobel announcements followed tradition, with prizes awarded in Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics:

·        Medicine: Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for pioneering research in immune regulation.

·        Physics: John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for breakthroughs in quantum tunneling, advancing quantum computing.

·        Chemistry: Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa, and Omar Yaghi for developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) capable of capturing gases and moisture.

·        Literature: Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai, celebrated for prose that “reaffirms the power of art in apocalyptic times.”

Machado’s Nobel adds her name to a lineage of laureates, from Kim Dae-jung in 2000 to Narges Mohammadi in 2023, who embody the global struggle for democracy, rights, and human dignity. For Venezuela, she is now a symbol of endurance and hope, proving that the path to peace often begins with the fight for freedom.