Prize Motivation
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to MarÃa Corina Machado:
"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 Committee praised her as a "brave and committed champion of peace" and "one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times" for keeping the "flame of democracy burning amidst a growing darkness" in Venezuela.
Key Background
MarÃa Corina Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and activist against the authoritarian governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
She was a key, unifying figure in the country's opposition, advocating for free and fair elections, judicial independence, and human rights.
The award recognized her efforts, particularly during the 2024 presidential election, where despite being banned from running, she backed the opposition candidate and mobilised a vast volunteer network to document the vote, which indicated a clear opposition victory that the regime ultimately rejected.