Not Donald Trump. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her enduring fight for democracy and human rights in her country. She has become a global symbol of resistance against authoritarianism, earning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight for democracy, human rights, and free elections in Venezuela.
Machado first stepped into politics in 2002 after founding Sumate, a citizen led organization that monitors elections and promotes transparency in Venezuela. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most influential and outspoken figures in the Venezuelan opposition, facing intimidation, travel bans, and political persecution from the government.
As the National Coordinator of the opposition party Vente Venezuela, Machado has been recognized globally for her commitment to democratic values. Her long list of honors includes the 2024 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and the Prize for Freedom by Liberal International.
She was listed among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 and featured in BBC’s 100 Women in 2018. On the personal front, Machado is divorced and has three children, who live abroad due to safety concerns.
Also Read: Not Donald Trump. María Corina Machado wins the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
