Machado began her political journey in 2002 by co-founding the civic organisation Sรบmate, which focused on promoting electoral transparency. She served as a member of the National Assembly from 2011 to 2014.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Friday won the Nobel Peace Prize 2025.ย The Norwegian Nobel Committee, represented by Jorgen Watne Frydnes, announced the award, praising the Venezuelan opposition leader for keeping the โflame of democracyโ alive in challenging times.
Frydnes described Machado as a โcourageous and dedicated advocate for peace,โ emphasizing that โdemocracy relies on individuals who refuse to remain silent.โ
According to the committee, Machado serves as a โunifying figureโ within Venezuelaโs opposition, which has faced systematic repression from the current government, including manipulated elections and imprisonment.
Who isย Maria Corina Machado?ย
Born on October 7, 1967, Machado has been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government’s human rights abuses and has played a significant role in advocating for democracy and peace in the country.
Machado began her political journey in 2002 by co-founding the civic organisation Sรบmate, which focused on promoting electoral transparency. She served as a member of the National Assembly from 2011 to 2014. In 2013, she founded the political party Vente Venezuela, aligning with liberal and democratic values. Throughout her career, Machado has been a staunch advocate for human rights and has been recognised for her efforts to challenge the authoritarian regime in Venezuela.ย
Machado was nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to promote peace and democracy in Venezuela. Her nomination highlights her courageous leadership and unwavering commitment to human rights and democratic ideals.
Machadoโs disqualification in 2024 presidential election
In the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, Maria Corina Machado was barred from running, even though she had secured more than 92% of the vote in the opposition primaries. After her disqualification, she threw her support behind Edmundo Gonzรกlez, who went on to win the election with 70% of the vote.
However, Gonzรกlezโs win faced criticism due to reports of electoral fraud and restrictions on opposition participation. Despite these challenges, Machado continues to be a prominent voice for democracy and human rights in Venezuela, attracting attention from the international community.
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