All About Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan Politician Who Won Nobel Peace Prize This Year

<p>The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, recognising her for &ldquo;tireless work promoting democratic rights&rdquo; and her &ldquo;struggle for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In its announcement on Friday, the Committee praised Machado as &ldquo;a brave and committed champion of peace &ndash; a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The decision comes after weeks of speculation, with some betting that US President Donald Trump could be a contender. Instead, the award went to a woman whose defiance of authoritarianism has turned her into one of Latin America&rsquo;s most enduring symbols of civilian courage.</p>
<h2>Defying Maduro&rsquo;s Rule</h2>
<p>For decades, Machado has stood at the forefront of Venezuela&rsquo;s pro-democracy movement, openly challenging the repressive regime of Nicol&aacute;s Maduro. She has endured threats, arrests, and political persecution, yet has chosen to remain in her homeland. Her insistence on peaceful resistance and free elections has made her a figure of hope for millions.</p>
<p>The Nobel Committee noted that her leadership has brought together a once-divided opposition, uniting citizens across political lines. During Venezuela&rsquo;s disputed 2024 election&mdash;when the government disqualified her from running&mdash;she threw her support behind opposition candidate Edmundo Gonz&aacute;lez Urrutia.</p>
<p>Even under state surveillance and intimidation, Machado spearheaded grassroots efforts to monitor polling stations, verify vote counts, and document irregularities. &ldquo;Maria Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace,&rdquo; the Committee said. &ldquo;She embodies the hope of a different future, one where citizens&rsquo; fundamental rights are protected and their voices heard.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Who Is Maria Corina Machado?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Political leader and activist: Co-founder and National Coordinator of the liberal party Vente Venezuela. Served as a Member of the National Assembly from 2010 to 2015.</li>
<li>Founder of democracy platforms: Helped establish S&uacute;mate, a civil society group promoting free elections, and SoyVenezuela, a coalition calling for democratic transition.</li>
<li>Voice of resistance: Expelled from parliament in 2014 after denouncing human rights abuses at the Organisation of American States. She has faced charges of treason, conspiracy, and repeated political bans.</li>
<li>International recognition: Named one of BBC&rsquo;s 100 Most Influential Women in 2018; winner of the Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award (2014), the Libertad Cortes de C&aacute;diz Prize (2015), and the Liberal International Freedom Prize (2019).</li>
<li>Economic vision: Advocates liberalising Venezuela&rsquo;s economy, including privatisation of the oil sector and renewed engagement with international financial institutions&mdash;an approach often compared to Argentina&rsquo;s President Javier Milei.</li>
<li>Educational background: Holds a degree in industrial engineering from Universidad Cat&oacute;lica Andr&eacute;s Bello and a finance specialisation from IESA.</li>
</ul>