Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize: “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 Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday.

In its citation, the Committee said: “The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

It praised Machado’s role in uniting Venezuela’s opposition, despite political persecution, and in mobilising citizens for peaceful change.

During the 2024 presidential election: “hundreds of thousands of volunteers mobilised across political divides. They were trained as election observers to ensure a transparent and fair election,” the Committee said. When official results were disputed, Machado: “called on the Venezuelan people to defend their vote through peaceful means.”

Recognising her resilience under threat, the Committee noted that Machado: “has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace.”

Machado, founder of the Vente Venezuela movement, becomes the first Venezuelan to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The Committee said her award honours all those in Venezuela who continue to work non-violently for freedom and justice.