OSLO / CARACAS: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, earning global recognition for her tireless efforts to defend democracy in a country long gripped by authoritarian rule.

Announcing the award in Oslo, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, described Machado as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.” He praised her as a “key, unifying figure” in Venezuela’s fragmented opposition to President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

The Nobel Committee highlighted Machado’s courage and resilience in leading peaceful political movements under intense state pressure, positioning her as a symbol of hope for millions of Venezuelans demanding democratic change.

A unifying figure in a divided nation

Born in 1967, Machado studied engineering and finance before entering public life. In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation, a non-profit organisation supporting street children in Caracas. Over the decades, she emerged as a leading pro-democracy advocate, uniting various opposition factions and mobilising citizens through non-violent resistance.

Machado’s activism, however, came at a steep personal cost. She has been arrested, banned from public office, and repeatedly targeted by the Maduro government. Despite this, she continues to be one of Venezuela’s most influential political voices.

The Nobel Committee noted that her leadership has been pivotal in reviving civic participation and strengthening global awareness of Venezuela’s humanitarian and political crisis.

Gandhi’s words inspire a leader

Following the announcement, social media users unearthed a 2010 post from Machado’s X (formerly Twitter) account quoting Mahatma Gandhi:

“Almost everything I do will be insignificant, but it is very important that I do it.”

The quote, originally in Spanish, reflected the philosophical depth that guides Machado’s activism — emphasising that even small acts of resistance can carry profound meaning in oppressive contexts.

Observers noted the symbolic connection between Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent struggle and Machado’s peaceful campaign for democratic rights.

Mahatma Gandhi and the Nobel Peace Prize

The reference to Gandhi also reignited discussion about his own history with the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite being nominated five times—in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947, and just before his assassination in 1948—Gandhi never received the honour.

Historians attribute this to the Nobel Committee’s restrictive interpretation of the prize criteria at the time. Gandhi was seen as neither a politician nor an advocate for international law, and his unique blend of spiritual activism and mass mobilisation did not fit traditional definitions of peace advocacy.

In later years, several Nobel laureates and committee members acknowledged that the omission of Gandhi was a moral oversight, calling it “the greatest gap in the Nobel Peace Prize’s history.”

White House reaction and global response

While much of the world praised Machado’s win, the White House expressed disapproval after former US President Donald Trump—a self-declared contender—missed out on the prize.

In a statement, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said,

“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”

Analysts viewed the remarks as part of a broader political narrative surrounding Trump’s efforts to shape his legacy through international peace initiatives.

A new chapter for Venezuelan democracy

For Venezuelans, Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize marks both a personal victory and a symbolic moment in the nation’s long struggle for freedom. Many in Caracas took to social media to celebrate her recognition, describing it as “a win for all who never gave up on Venezuela’s future.”

International observers see the award as a reaffirmation of the global commitment to democratic values, particularly at a time when authoritarianism and political violence are rising worldwide.

In her acceptance statement, Machado said she was “deeply honoured and humbled” by the Nobel Committee’s decision.

“This award belongs to every Venezuelan who has suffered, resisted, and dreamed of a free homeland,” she said.

Her words echoed the Gandhian belief that moral courage and peaceful action can illuminate even the darkest political landscapes.