Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering efforts to defend democratic rights and civil liberties in Venezuela. Recognized for her persistent advocacy against authoritarianism, Machado has spent over two decades mobilizing citizens and raising awareness about the erosion of democratic institutions in the country. Her long-standing call for peaceful political change and insistence on ballots over bullets has been widely praised.
Born on October 7, 1967, Machado hails from a family historically involved in Venezuela’s independence movement. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s in Finance. In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation to support street children and orphans, marking the start of her social and political activism. Her opposition to government policies led to charges of treason and conspiracy, but she continued championing citizen rights and democratic principles.
Machado co-founded the volunteer organization Sumate in 2002, focusing on voter rights and electoral transparency. Later, she established the liberal political party Vente Venezuela and was elected to the National Assembly in 2010 with a record number of votes. During the 2014 protests against hyperinflation, shortages, and President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule, Machado emerged as a leading opposition voice. Her activism led to her suspension from the Assembly and multiple legal cases, yet she remained committed to the democratic cause.
Despite being barred from holding office for 15 years—a decision upheld by Venezuela’s Supreme Court—Machado continued her efforts through media and social platforms, mobilizing citizens and promoting democratic reforms. Even facing arrests and threats, she remained in Venezuela to support the opposition. The Nobel Committee cited her courage, resilience, and dedication to the people of Venezuela as the key reasons for honoring her with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.