Maria Corina Machado, one of Venezuela’s most fearless opposition leaders, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong fight to restore democracy in her country. 

For over three decades, she has stood up to authoritarian rule, pushed for fair elections, and inspired millions of Venezuelans to believe in a free and democratic nation.

She is a voice for democracy in Venezuela

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” 

Her journey has not been easy, it has been filled by arrests, bans, and political persecution. Yet, she has never backed down.

From Engineer to Activist

Born in 1967, Maria Corina Machado studied engineering and finance before venturing briefly into business. But her real passion soon became clear serving her country and fighting for justice. 

Her technical background helped her understand the link between sound governance and national progress, shaping her future in civic leadership.

In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation, a non-profit that supported street children in Caracas. This was her first step into social advocacy, showing her deep concern for vulnerable communities long before she entered politics.

Building Institutions for Fair Elections

A decade later, she co-founded Súmate, a civic group focused on electoral transparency. Súmate trained citizens to monitor elections and promoted the idea that Venezuelans should have the right to vote freely and fairly. 

This work made her one of the most prominent voices challenging the government’s control over elections.

A Record-Setting Political Career

In 2010, Machado made history when she was elected to Venezuela’s National Assembly with a record number of votes. 

However, her time in office was short-lived the government expelled her in 2014 after she openly criticised the regime’s growing authoritarianism. Despite this, she remained active in the opposition, determined to keep pushing for change.

Leading the Opposition and Building Alliances

Machado is the leader of Vente Venezuela, a liberal opposition party advocating democracy and free markets. 

In 2017, she helped create Soy Venezuela, a coalition that brought together different pro-democracy movements. These alliances have been crucial in uniting opposition forces against Venezuela’s dictatorship.

Her presidential Dream was blocked

In 2023, Machado announced her plan to run for the 2024 presidential election. Her campaign gained massive public support, but authorities barred her from contesting. Rather than give up, she backed Edmundo González Urrutia as the opposition’s candidate. 

The election was marred by irregularities, and despite widespread belief that the opposition had won, the regime declared itself victorious.

Symbol of Courage and Global Recognition

Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize is more than a personal victory, it is a message to the world. It highlights the ongoing fight for democracy not just in Venezuela, but everywhere democracy is under threat.

The Nobel Committee emphasised that democracy the right to speak freely, vote openly, and be represented fairly is the foundation of peace. By honouring Machado, they also drew attention to the global decline of democratic values and the need to protect them.