ISLAMABAD: María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her relentless struggle against dictatorship and her advocacy for democracy in Venezuela.

Born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, the 58-year-old industrial engineer is the daughter of a well-known businessman in Venezuela’s steel industry.

In 2002, Machado co-founded the civic organization Súmate, which promotes free and fair elections — an effort highlighted by the Nobel Committee in its announcement. A former lawmaker, she represented Miranda state in the Venezuelan National Assembly from 2011 to 2014 and has led the center-right party Vente Venezuela since 2012.

Machado rose to prominence as one of the main voices challenging President Nicolás Maduro’s rule. She played a leading role in the 2014 anti-government protests, which called for democratic reforms and an end to political repression.

In 2024, Venezuela’s courts barred her from running for president, preventing her from challenging Maduro, who has been in power since 2013. Undeterred, Machado threw her support behind her replacement, Edmundo González, a former ambassador, and campaigned vigorously on his behalf. Her rallies drew thousands of supporters across the country, symbolizing the strength and resilience of Venezuela’s democratic movement.

According to local media reports, Machado has been in hiding since January 2025, amid growing government pressure and threats against opposition leaders.

In a statement announcing her selection, the Nobel Committee said:

“María Corina Machado meets all three criteria stated in Alfred Nobel’s will for the selection of a Peace Prize laureate. She has united her country’s opposition, resisted the militarization of Venezuelan society, and remained steadfast in her pursuit of a peaceful transition to democracy.”

Machado is known for her pro-democracy and pro-market stance, advocating for the privatization of state-run enterprises, including the national oil company PDVSA.

Her Nobel win marks a historic moment — she becomes the first Venezuelan and the seventh Latin American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, joining a distinguished list of regional figures recognized for advancing peace and human rights.

Machado’s award, observers say, not only honors her personal courage but also shines a global spotlight on Venezuela’s ongoing struggle for democratic freedoms.

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