Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Venezuelan Maria Corina Machado wins the highest award

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to María Corina Machado, a courageous and committed advocate for peace, whose tireless fight for democracy in Venezuela has lit the way for others to follow. In a world where democracy faces increasing challenges, Machado stands as a beacon of hope, showing that the tools of democracy, free elections, judicial independence, and human rights are also tools for peace.

As the leader of Venezuela’s democracy movement, Machado has become one of the most prominent figures of civic courage in Latin America. Over the years, it has succeeded in uniting the divided opposition, bringing together diverse voices under the common banner of free and fair elections. In a country where authoritarianism reigns and political opposition faces severe repression, Machado has remained resolute in her commitment to democracy.

“Ballot boxes over bullets,” Machado once said when she founded Somate, an organization dedicated to promoting democratic development. For more than two decades, she has tirelessly defended the independence of the judiciary, human rights and free will of the Venezuelan people, speaking out even as her country faces increasing political and social challenges.

But the struggle for democracy is not limited to Venezuela. Around the world, authoritarian regimes are growing stronger, resorting to violence, silencing free media, and eroding the rule of law. Democracy, once considered a fundamental right, is now under siege. The Maria Corina Machado Prize reminds us that democracy is not just an ideal, but a precondition for lasting peace.

Over the past year, Machado has faced serious threats to her life, yet she has chosen to remain in Venezuela, inspiring millions with her unwavering determination. Her courage under such intense pressure reminds us of the critical role individuals play in preserving freedom. Machado’s fight embodies the very spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize – democracy should never be taken for granted; It must be defended at all costs, with words, deeds and unwavering courage.